Developed by Apollo Endosurgery (Austin, Texas), ORBERA® is an FDA-approved managed weight loss system for adults with obesity. As an Endobariatric procedure, Orbera balloon has over the 20-year history of clinical experience solution that could be the right weight loss procedure for you.
As an alternative to weight loss surgery, Orbera Balloon Weight Loss System is:
- Non-surgical – It is inserted orally through the esophagus directly into the stomach
- Non-invasive – The procedure takes about 30 minutes while the individual is mildly sedated
- Not permanent – The balloon can stay in stomach for up to six months* before is removed
- No incisions – There is no need for any incisions, stitches or scars since the procedure is done endoscopically
Orbera is a soft elastic spherical balloon made of silicon that is filled with 450 to 700 CC saline solution and methylene blue. The balloon comes deflated and pre-loaded on a catheter. After placement of the balloon through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach (fundus), the balloon is then inflated to the size of a grapefruit. Both implementation and retrieval of the balloon done through minimally invasive endoscopic procedure under sedation.
How Does Orbera Work?
Orbera is a top choice and widely used as it results in best weight loss among other gastric balloons. Orbera occupies one-third of the stomach volume and reinforces portion control. The balloon remains in the stomach for 6 months* but it is part of a 12-month diet and exercise program. Again, like any other IntraGastric Ballons diet, exercise and behavior modification is needed for a successful outcome.
The balloon takes up one-third of the stomach volume and helps you adapt to healthier portion sizes. Also, the presence of balloon delays the emptying of the stomach and keeps the person full longer. Adults with BMI of 30 to 40 who have not been successful with diet and exercise are a candidate for the balloon. The study shows patients with ORBERA lost an average of 21.8 pounds (10.2% of body weight). Some of the patients gained weight after the removal but maintained an average of 19.4 pounds of weight loss.
It is shown that Orbera can amplify weight loss as much as 3 times of diet and exercise alone. Apollo offers online support and a user-friendly app, ORBERA® Coach, for your weight loss support to help you make healthy choices on a daily basis
Orbera Balloon Cost
The Orbera balloon system procedure costs over $8,000 in the U.S. Even though most patients can go home after the procedure, there are uncomfortable feeling and nausea that lasts a few days. That is why we keep the patient in the hospital overnight to have them under surveillance of medical professionals. The all-inclusive package is under $4,000 in Mexico, including hospital and hotel.
Risks and Complications
The complication rate for Orbera is very low but there are risks:
- Injury during the balloon insertion or extraction causing bleeding or perforation
- Discomfort, nausea, and vomiting during the first few days
- A sense of heaviness in the abdomen
- Pain in the abdomen and back
- GERD (acid reflux)
- Deflation of the balloon
- Migration of the balloon
Pros and Cons
IntraGastric Balloon is a temporary solution for weight loss and is a great jump start, especially if it is combined with behavioral modification. However, the interaction between gastrointestinal motility, nutrient absorption, neuro-hormonal gastrointestinal signals and digestive system secretion like bile is complex. This complex physiology related to obesity does not get addressed for weight loss solutions like IGB. More aggressive surgical weight loss procedures like gastric sleeve, RNY gastric bypass is needed to cure obesity.
Gastric Balloon Pros and Cons – What You Need to Know!
Orbera 365 Managed Weight Loss System
ORBERA365™ Non-Surgical Weight Loss Balloon System is being approved in the U.S. to keep the balloon for 12 months instead of 6 months for better weight loss success. It is designed and tested with proven shell durability, long-lasting shell strength, and high-quality silicone. Orbera 365 is already being implemented overseas and may help:
- Maintain weight loss with longer therapy
- Patients with stubborn habits, like sweet eating behavior
- Impact on comorbidities