Weight-Loss Balloon

Portion control & better eating habits with ORBERA® in Nashville, Tennessee

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 in under 30 minutes at our Nashville practice.


Each patient is unique. Our surgeon will meet with you in a personal consultation to discuss your treatment plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The ORBERA® balloon takes up space in your stomach during the 6-month program. This reduces your feelings of hunger and allows you to learn better eating habits. We will follow up with you monthly and help work on your diet. These new habits typically enable you to keep off the weight after removal of the balloon. Read about how gastric balloons work.

Your BMI should be between 30-40 for Orbera to be safe and effective. Some candidates with BMIs of 41-42 may also qualify, but please call us first for a pre-screening. Learn about gastric balloon candidates.

You can expect weight loss anywhere from 30-50 lbs with the Orbera gastric balloon. Some patients are able to lose even more. The biggest drop in weight typically happens at 1-2 months after placement. The rest of the 6-month period is dedicated to learning improved eating habits to ensure that your weight loss is permanent. Learn more about your expected weight loss with Orbera.

Studies have shown that patients maintain their weight loss through dieting post-removal of the balloon. Most patients adapt to the new, healthier lifestyle they have learned during the six months of eating habit and portion “training.” Read what to expect from your Orbera weight-loss balloon recovery.

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. Learn more about gastric balloon safety.

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. Read about side effects from gastric balloon placement.

The average person loses about 3x more weight with Orbera than with diet and exercise alone. 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. Read about the effectiveness of weight-loss balloons vs diet alone.

Gastric bypass surgery is an invasive surgery typically performed under general anesthesia. It has a more difficult recovery and leaves scars.

A gastric balloon is placed endoscopically in a 20-minute procedure that does not require any surgical incisions. The removal after 6 months is performed the same way. It does not result in any scars.

No. Liposuction is not a weight-loss program. It is meant for people who are already relatively close to their target weight and want to remove pockets of fat that have proved resistant to diet and exercise. However, the Orbera gastric balloon is a great first step to get to your target weight, which would then allow you to slim down remaining problem areas with liposuction. Read about using Orbera as preparation for body contouring with liposuction.


Weight-Loss Balloon Testimonials