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Weight-Loss Balloon

ORBERA: Portion control & better eating habits with non-surgical balloon placement

Orbera Balloon: Non-Surgical Weight Loss

ORBERA® is an FDA-approved weight loss system that goes beyond a diet and exercise program, yet does not require surgery. Patients on average lose 3x the weight of diet and exercise alone. It is designed to last 6 months.

Orbera slows your digestion so that you eat smaller portions during meals, and less often. Over the course of your 6-month treatment it becomes a tool for learning how to take control of your body without the need of weight loss surgery.

Both placement and removal of the weight-loss balloon are non-surgical procedures that are performed at our Nashville cosmetic surgery center* in under 30 minutes.

*Travel discount available – contact us today for more information!

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Weight loss woman

What can I expect?

Balloon placement: The surgeon will place you under IV sedation and take about 20 minutes to place the deflated balloon in your stomach. He then fills it with a saline solution to take up space in your stomach.

Learning new habits: Over the next 6 months, your digestion will slow down so that you eat smaller portions. You will begin to see noticeable results  1-2 months after placement of the balloon.

Balloon removal: 6 months later, the procedure is performed in reverse to deflate and extract the balloon. You have the option to enter a 12-month coaching program via a mobile app to get recipe suggestions and monitor progress with a registered dietician.

Each patient is unique. What your treatment will look like is determined by you and the plastic surgeon who you will meet with in a personal consultation.

woman before and after her Orbera weight-loss balloon procedure

Lindsay’s Weight-loss Story

“I tried everything I knew about. Every diet. I tried pills. I tried hypnotherapy. You name it, I did it. And then I just happened to stumble upon the Orbera gastric balloon.”

Weight loss man

Is Orbera right for me?

Orbera is the #1 weight-loss balloon in the world with over 300,000 procedures performed. Our experienced gastric surgeon has performed numerous gastric balloon placements in the Nashville area and beyond.

Your Orbera benefits at a glance:

  • Your procedure is minimally-invasive
  • You will be able to return to your day-to-day activities the next day
  • You can expect to lose 20-50 lbs or more
  • You will be able to take control of the way you eat
  • Our prices are all-inclusive without any hidden fees or surcharges
  • Orbera is ideal for BMIs between 30 and 40; use our BMI Calculator to find your BMI.

NuBody Concepts patient before and after her Orbera weight-loss balloon procedure

Rachel’s Weight-loss Story

“I knew I wanted to lose weight, I knew I wanted to be more
active, but to actually do it and to feel this good is life-changing.”

Schedule a consultation to ask any questions. We’re here to help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Studies have shown that patients maintain their weight loss through dieting post-removal of the balloon. The key is to stick to your new, healthy lifestyle that you will have learned through your six months of “training.” Visit Orbera Gastric Balloon to learn more about the weight-loss balloon procedure.

It happens only rarely, but the balloon could indeed rupture. This means that the saline solution it is filled with would leak into the stomach, which is harmless. However, you would no longer feel full after eating, as the balloon would no longer do its job, and your doctor would have to remove the deflated balloon.

Gastric balloons are FDA-approved and have been around for over 20 years. The placement and removal does not involve surgery and can be done in a brief, minimally-invasive procedure under IV sedation. Should a balloon rupture (an extremely rare event), it wouldn’t be harmful in any form.

Initially, the placement of the balloon can cause nausea. This is a very normal reaction, and in most patients it passes quickly. Our surgeon typically prescribes medication to counteract any nausea that might occur.

The average person loses about 3x more weight with Orbera than with diet and exercise alone. The reason for this is that by taking up space in your stomach, the balloon also takes away your feeling of constant hunger. This teaches you to adapt to smaller portion sizes, without the hunger pangs. Most patients experience drastic weight loss in just 1-2 months after placement of the balloon. This early success makes it more comfortable to exercise, which again helps with additional weight loss.

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Payment Options

Looking your best with Orbera is attainable! Our price quotes are given after a personal consultation with the surgeon and are all-inclusive – no hidden costs or other surcharges. Your quote will cover both placement and removal of the balloon. Please note that we offer interest-free payment plans through several lenders as well as a travel discount for out-of-town patients.

Don’t know if you qualify for a payment plan? Click the button below to check your credit score and submit an application for medical financing to get pre-approved.

Learn more about financing options

Weight-Loss Balloon Testimonials

Additional Information about Weight-Loss Balloon

Who Should Go For Gastric Balloon Placement?

An intra-gastric balloon may help you along your weight loss journey if you:

  • Have a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40
  • Are dedicated to committing to healthy lifestyle changes (i.e. a healthy diet) and get regular medical follow-ups
  • Can commit to six months of treatment
  • Have not had any previous stomach or esophageal surgeries

An intra-gastric balloon system may not be the right choice for everyone. Talk with your doctor or schedule a consultation with NuBody Concepts today to see if ORBERA® is right for you.

How Does a Balloon System Work?

Before your actual procedure, your cosmetic surgeon may give you specific instructions regarding any medications you may currently be taking, what you will likely be recommended to eat and drink, and suggest enrolling in an exercise program during the period leading up to your procedure. 

Placing the Balloon

On the day of your appointment, the deflated balloon is inserted into your stomach under IV sedation in a 20-minute procedure. The balloon is filled with a sterile solution to the size of a small grapefruit. For the next 6 months, the balloon takes up space in your stomach to slow down digestion and help you adapt to healthier portion sizes. Most patients see dramatic results after 1-2 months.

After the intra-gastric balloon system has been placed, you will usually be required to drink small amounts of clear liquids for up to six hours after the procedure. Your doctor may also recommend a liquid diet for a week or two before you begin eating soft foods or return to a normal diet. Typically, after about 3 weeks from the time of your gastric balloon insertion, you can begin eating regular, solid foods again.

Changing Your Habits

For the next six months, the Orbera® balloon system will begin helping you lose weight as you eat less, take part in a diet and monitoring program, and begin retraining your brain to better anticipate when your stomach is feeling full.

During this time, it will be important that you remain in constant contact with your support group. In order for you to maximize the benefits of Orbera®, it may require regular sessions with your NuBody team, dietician, fitness trainer, psychologist, and or general practitioner.

During these six months, patients notice a considerable difference that would most likely not have taken place with diet and exercise alone. Some report weight loss upwards of 50 pounds or more!

Removing the Balloon

After 6 months, the balloon is removed in another procedure similar to the first one. We offer an optional 12-month coaching program including monthly sessions with a registered dietician, over 100 recipe suggestions, and a mobile app to monitor progress.

How Much Weight Can You Lose with a Gastric Balloon?

Weight loss with a gastric balloon system varies depending on the changes you implement in your daily life. Although the placement of the balloon in your stomach reduces food intake and the sensation of hunger, there are additional steps you can take to experience the best results.

You can expect to lose around 7 to 15 percent of your body weight during the first six months after the placement of your gastric balloon. Total weight loss usually varies between individuals, but may range between 20 to 50 percent. The best part about gastric balloons is that the weight loss tends to be permanent – because you have successfully retrained your body to eat less. Unlike with may diets, gastric balloon patients don’t typically regain the weight.

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woman before and after her Orbera weight-loss balloon procedure

Potential Risks & Side-Effects

It is rare for any severe side effects to occur with Orbera®. However, as with any procedure, you may experience some common side-effects, including:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mild discomfort or pain soon after the balloon is placed

Nausea and pain typically only occur in about one-third of patients and quickly resolve within a few days after the procedure. Your surgeon will also prescribe anti-nausea medication that will help you through those first few days.

As mentioned above, it is rare for any serious side effects to occur due to an intragastric balloon. However, if you experience any severe:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain

Call your doctor immediately, especially if these symptoms occur within the first few weeks of treatment.

There is also the risk of balloon deflation. Typically this results in saline leaking into your stomach, which is harmless. However, it will require removal and and replacement of the balloon. In rare cases, the deflated balloon can block the stomach. A stomach blockage is a serious condition and will require immediate medical attention and surgery to remove the device. Other risks include:

  • Overinflation
  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Ulcers or perforation in the stomach wall

Before your balloon procedure, be sure to talk with your doctor and be informed of any safety information related to your treatment. For complete procedure and safety information, download the Orbera patient booklet.

Why Choose Orbera®?

Because Orbera helps you lose weight, it may also lower your risk of potentially serious weight-related health problems, such as:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Heart disease or stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
  • Type 2 diabetes

An intra-gastric balloon placement or any other weight loss surgery should only be considered if you have tried a weight loss program, improving your diet, and practicing consistent exercise habits prior to surgery.

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