The Obalon Balloon System for Nonsurgical Weight Loss.

Written By Anna Wilkinson. Updated: November 2024.

Provided by BeautyClover (Photo: iStock by Getty Images).

The Obalon balloon system is an innovative new non-surgical weight loss treatment that helps facilitate weight loss through a swallowed capsule containing a gastric balloon. This first-of-its-kind system provides a minimally invasive weight loss solution without the risks of surgery. Keep reading to learn all about how this revolutionary system works and if you’re a candidate for the Obalon balloon.

Table of Contents.

What is the Obalon Balloon System?

The Obalon balloon system is the first and only swallowable, FDA-approved weight loss balloon. This non-surgical weight loss system consists of three lightweight balloons that are placed in the stomach over a 3-month period. Each balloon contains a small capsule filled with gas that inflates the balloon to help take up space in the stomach and facilitate weight loss.

The Obalon balloon system helps facilitate weight loss in adults with obesity (BMI 30-40) who have failed to achieve weight loss goals through diet and exercise alone. This non-surgical treatment helps patients eat less and lose weight through a 3-6 month placement and treatment program. Patients are also required to participate in a diet and exercise program to augment the weight loss effects of the balloon system.

How Does the Obalon Balloon System Work?

The Obalon balloon system uses a revolutionary swallowable balloon capsule for placement without surgery or anesthesia. Here is an overview of how the non-surgical treatment works:

Patient swallows a capsule containing a small, deflated balloon attached to a micro-catheter.
Balloon is inflated with gas to fill space in the stomach via the attached microcatheter.
First balloon placement procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes.
Patient returns in 1-2 months to repeat the balloon placement process for a total of 3 balloons over 3 months.
Balloons remain in the stomach for 3-6 months and occupy space to facilitate weight loss.
After 3-6 months, balloons are removed endoscopically in a simple outpatient procedure.

This non-surgical weight loss option allows for gradual space-occupying balloon treatment over 3-6 months to optimize weight loss results. Patients lose an average of 10-15% of their total body weight with the Obalon balloon system.

What are the Benefits of the Obalon Balloon System?

There are many unique benefits to using the Obalon balloon system for non-surgical weight loss, including:

Minimally invasive – No surgery or anesthesia required, just swallow a pill-sized capsule.
Gradual results – Up to 3 balloons placed over 3 months allows gradual weight loss.
Outpatient procedures – Each balloon placement takes less than 10 minutes in your doctor’s office.
Lower cost – More affordable than traditional bariatric surgery options.
Reversible – Balloons are removed after 3-6 months.
Clinically proven – Patients lost 2x more weight than diet and exercise alone in clinical trials.
Improved mobility – Gradual weight loss may lead to increased mobility and less joint pain.
No scar – No external incision or scarring as with weight loss surgery.

For those who want to lose 30 to 100 pounds or more without surgery, the Obalon balloon system provides an excellent non-surgical option.

Who is a Candidate for the Obalon Balloon?

The Obalon balloon system is intended for adults ages 22 and over who:

Have a BMI between 30 and 40 (obese but not severely obese)
Want to lose 30-100 lbs to reach weight loss goals
Have tried losing weight through diet and exercise without success
Do not want or are not candidates for weight loss surgery
Are committed to making lifestyle changes with diet and exercise

Good candidates for Obalon will work closely with their physician to make sure it is the right nonsurgical weight loss option for their needs. Those with certain medical conditions may not be eligible. Your physician can determine if you are a candidate for the Obalon balloon system.

How is the Obalon Balloon Placed?

Placement of each Obalon balloon capsule is a quick, non-surgical procedure performed in your physician’s office. Here is an overview of the capsule placement process:

Arrive at your doctor’s office for the scheduled procedure
The deflated balloon capsule attached to a catheter is swallowed with water
Positioning is confirmed via x-ray
Balloon is inflated with gas to fill space in the stomach
Catheter is detached and removed through the mouth
First balloon placement takes less than 10 minutes
Return every 1-2 months to repeat process for 2 more balloons

After swallowing the balloon capsule, your physician will inflate the balloon to fill space in your stomach and help you feel fuller faster. Each non-surgical placement typically takes less than 10 minutes. You are awake for the quick and painless procedure.

What is the Obalon Diet and Exercise Program?

To supplement the weight loss effects of the balloon system, physicians require Obalon patients to participate in a physician-supervised diet and exercise program. This usually includes:

Meeting with a dietitian to plan healthy meals
Setting daily exercise goals (e.g. walk 30 minutes per day)
Weekly weigh-ins to track weight loss progress
Learning healthy lifestyle habits for long-term weight maintenance
Journaling food intake and exercise

Combining the Obalon balloons with a customized diet and exercise program provides the best nonsurgical weight loss results. Your doctor will work closely with you to create a program that fits your needs and weight loss goals.

What is the Obalon Clinical Trial Data?

Clinical studies on the Obalon balloon system demonstrated excellent weight loss results:

Patients with Obalon balloons lost nearly twice as much weight compared to diet and exercise alone.
Balloon patients lost an average of 21 lbs vs. 11 lbs for diet and exercise only.
84% of Obalon patients lost at least 5% body weight.
Patients were highly satisfied with their weight loss and could tolerate the balloons well.

This FDA trial data showed the Obalon balloon system helped facilitate significantly more weight loss than just diet and exercise alone. for nonsurgical weight loss.

What Happens After Obalon Balloon Placement?

The Obalon balloon system is intended for short-term placement of 3-6 months. Here is a typical treatment timeline:

Month 1: Swallow first balloon capsule
Month 2: Second balloon is placed 1-2 months after first
Month 3: Third and final balloon is placed 1-2 months after second
Months 4-6: Balloons remain in stomach during this period
Month 6: Balloons are removed endoscopically

After balloon removal around month 6, your physician will discuss a plan to help maintain your weight loss results through continued healthy diet and exercise habits. Sustaining a healthy lifestyle is key to keeping the weight off long-term.

What are Possible Side Effects of Obalon?

The most common side effects of the Obalon balloon system are mild abdominal cramping or nausea for 1-3 days after balloon placement. Your physician may prescribe anti-nausea medication to help manage any stomach discomfort.

More serious risks are rare but can include intestinal obstruction or spontaneous balloon deflation. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments to monitor for potential complications.

Is the Obalon Balloon System Right for You?

The Obalon balloon system is an excellent nonsurgical weight loss option for obese adults looking to lose a significant amount of weight without surgery. This revolutionary balloon system facilitates weight loss by taking up space in the stomach to help you eat less and lose weight through diet and exercise.

Talk to your physician to determine if you are a candidate for the Obalon balloon. For those who qualify, this innovative swallowable balloon provides a minimally invasive way to achieve your weight loss goals. Combining the 3-balloon treatment with healthy lifestyle changes can lead to long-lasting weight loss success.

Key Takeaways on Obalon:

Obalon is the first and only FDA-approved swallowable weight loss balloon system.
It is a non-surgical option that helps facilitate weight loss.
Treatment involves swallowing 3 balloon capsules over 3 months.
Balloons occupy space in the stomach to promote weight loss.
Average weight loss is 2x more than diet and exercise alone.
Balloons are removed after 3-6 months.
Works best combined with physician-supervised diet and exercise program.

For obese adults who want significant weight loss without surgery, the Obalon balloon system is an excellent nonsurgical option. Consult your doctor to see if you may be a candidate. This innovative balloon treatment could help you finally achieve your weight loss goals when diet and exercise alone have not worked.

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