The gastric balloon is a non-surgical method to lose weight by putting a balloon in the stomach, to cause satiety. The balloon passed through the mouth and esophagus, then swollen in the stomach.

The balloon is left for 4 to 6 months in the stomach, a few times longer, depending on the type of balloon. This method must lead to a weight loss of 10 to 25 kgs.

This method is for patients who have 10 to 25 kg to lose (20 to 50% overweight compared to their ideal weight). These patients are not candidates for obesity surgery because their weight is not high enough. It is sometimes aimed at patients with higher weight who, for various reasons, are not yet ready for surgery.
These patients have already made medically monitored diets that have sometimes been effective, but they regained weight after, or were unable to continue their diet more than 2 or 3 months.
The ball is a starter. It allows to lose in 6 months the weight that would require effort for 2 years.