Orbera Balloon

Medical weight loss clinics work with the help of a healthcare professional, usually a doctor who uses their knowledge and medical experience to guide patients in achieving their long-term weight loss and health goals safely and effectively. The medical professional develops personalised health plans tailored to your individual circumstances, incorporating factors such as weight, diet, training, lifestyle, and medical history. This customised plan will contain helpful information such as personalised workout regimens and specialised nutritional ‘diet’ plans to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals.

The type of doctors you should see for weight loss are licensed and experienced healthcare professionals that specialise in the area of medical weight loss such as Bariatricians (Bariatric Physicians, Bariatric Healthcare Providers, Bariatric Surgeons), Endocrinologists, obesity medicine specialists who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to metabolism and hormones, and allied health practitioners such as Nutritionists, Dietitians and Exercise Physiologists. These healthcare providers can help guide you to the best weight loss tools and solutions for you and your weight loss journey.

You can expect to pay between $7,750 and $9,000 for the Orbera gastric balloon.

This includes all major elements of the procedure, including the consultations, placement, follow-up care, and eventual removal.

Most patients report an average weight loss of 10-15% of total body weight in 6 months*.

This means that if you weigh 120kgs, you may lose 12-18kgs, and if you weigh 150kgs, you may lose 15-22.5kgs.

The best results are found in patients who commit to a diet and lifestyle overhaul alongside the placement of the Orbera BIB® Balloon. Making these changes also gives you the best possible chance of maintaining the weight loss once the balloon is removed.

*Weight loss varies from person to person.

The best candidates for this kind of procedure are aged between 18-65, and have a BMI of 30-45, with no serious gastrointestinal conditions or prior gastric surgeries.

This procedure is not available for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and prospective patients should have a history of trying to lose weight through traditional means, without success.

No, the Orbera BIB® Balloon is removed via endoscopy after six months. This is a non-invasive procedure (although still performed under sedation), that does not require incisions.

It is performed in a day procedure in the hospital, and is generally well-tolerated with minimal downtime.

The endoscopic procedure takes just 20-30 minutes, and most patients return home the same day after 2-3 hours of observation in hospital.

Liquid, or very soft food is recommended for a few days, as the stomach adjusts. This procedure is generally very well tolerated, and a return to work within days is usually possible.

Yes, light sedation is required for both the placement and removal of the Orbera BIB® Balloon. The procedure is performed endoscopically, so general anaesthesia is not required. Instead, patients are placed into something known as a ‘twilight sleep.’

You’ll be extremely relaxed, and won’t remember anything, but you’ll return to normal much faster than you would with general anaesthesia.

No, the Orbera BIB® Balloon is a fixed volume balloon. Once the balloon has been implanted and filled with saline, this is the volume that will occupy your stomach for the remainder of the treatment period.

The mechanism to add or detract saline from the balloon does not exist, so if you feel discomfort or that the balloon is not working as it should, you may need to consider removal.

As part of the Orbera BIB® Balloon procedure, a specific, progressive diet is recommended.

This diet starts with soft, pureed food as the stomach adjusts, and then progresses to firmer, then solid foods, accompanied by daily supplements to fill in any nutritional gaps. You should focus on a lighter diet, and prioritise protein.

Once the Orbera BIB® Balloon is removed, you must continue with the diet and lifestyle changes you’ve made. Your dieticians and medical team can provide guidance on how to manage any weight regain.

The Allurion is convenient, and the procedure is anaesthesia-free, but the Orbera BIB® Balloon treatment period is lengthier, and may therefore promote more significant weight loss. Check out our article on the difference between the Comparison Between Orbera Vs Allurion Balloons to learn more.