Gastric balloon
Our specialist weight loss team draws on years of expertise as they take the time to understand your individual concerns.
Treatment overview
A gastric balloon is a spherical ball that is placed into the stomach during an endoscopy procedure.
The collapsed gastric balloon is passed using the camera through the mouth and down the food pipe (oesophagus).
Not everyone who needs to lose weight is eligible for weight loss surgery.
It might be suitable if you have already tried diet and exercise and currently have 2 to 3 stones to lose.
It is a non-surgical procedure to help you lose weight slowly over a period of six months.
Once in place, the balloon is filled with sterile salt water (saline).
It occupies a significant proportion of the volume of the stomach.
Some types of gastric balloon are adjustable and can be refilled with more saline to make them larger if required.
Treatment options
A gastric balloon is a non-surgical treatment option we offer for overweight patients to help you manage your weight.
The aim is to maintain a healthy BMI on a long-term basis.
Your consultant might recommend a different treatment pathway depending on various factors.
This can include your age, current weight and any pre-existing obesity-related conditions.
The alternative treatments to gastric balloons we offer are:
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
- Gastric band
- Gastric bypass
- Gastric sleeve
- Weight loss medication
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
The London Clinic, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Surrounded by the latest treatments and advice, you’ll have everything you need to get back to your best health. Our patient rooms are designed for your comfort, while our catering team, in collaboration with expert dietitians, provide healthy, delicious meals to support your recovery.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our teams will be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs and giving you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands. To provide exceptional care, we keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience. You’ll notice the difference.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it’s your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our finance options here.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more here.
FAQs
A gastric balloon works simply by occupying the stomach so there is less space for food.
In an endoscopy procedure, your surgeon introduces a collapsed gastric balloon through the oesophagus.
This is a non-surgical treatment that you can have while conscious under mild sedation.
Once fitted, your stomach fills up more quickly when you eat.
This stimulates the receptors in the stomach wall to tell your brain that you are full, allowing you to enjoy smaller meals and still feel satisfied.
Eating less will result in weight loss especially if you also do more exercise after having your gastric balloon.
The benefits that you might expect to receive can vary between patients.
Your results will also depend on your commitment to following a balanced diet and exercise.
Maintaining a healthy weight can lead to a new lease of life and more confidence in your appearance.
It can give you more energy and freedom to enjoy the things you want to do with the people you love the most.
Losing weight can help reduce the likelihood of obesity-related conditions including coronary heart disease, strokes and certain types of cancer.
We know that weight loss isn’t easy, especially on your own.
When you’ve tried diet and exercise but it’s just not enough, a gastric balloon could be the start of your journey to a healthier you.
However, it is important to be aware of the possible side effects.
Your care team will discuss these with you and make sure you’re well informed about your treatment before you have it.
You will feel confident and reassured that you know what to expect.
There is a risk that you might not tolerate the gastric balloon in your stomach, although most patients find their balloon settles well after a few days.
A very small number experience constant nausea, retching and vomiting and their balloon has to be removed.
You can control sickness by eating smaller meals and avoiding smells and tastes that trigger symptoms.
Weight loss with a gastric balloon can be slower than other methods.
Most of our patients lose around 5 to 10 kg in 6 months.
A small number of patients may have their balloon removed early if it is not working.