This procedure is a temporary option for patients who would prefer not to undergo surgery. It involves the placement of a balloon-like medical device in the stomach via the mouth and oesophagus using an endoscope. No surgical incisions are required. The balloon reduces the capacity of the stomach which in turn leads to gradual weight loss.
The balloon can be easily removed in a reversal of the original procedure, and in fact this reversal is generally performed around six months after first being inserted. A gastric balloon is also referred to as an intra-gastric balloon.