Gastric Balloon Weight Loss System

Are you looking for a less invasive but effective procedure to lose weight? One of the most popular non-surgical options that we offer is the Intragastric Balloon, more commonly known as the Gastric Balloon.

Patients on average lose 20-40 lbs. total with the gastric balloon weight loss procedure over the course of 6 to 12 months.

In the endoscopic gastric balloon system, a balloon is inflated in the stomach to temporarily decrease the stomach capacity/volume and induce weight loss. The goal of this therapy is to fill the gap between major weight loss surgery and dieting/exercise. The gastric balloon works best with a structured program as well as lifelong habitual changes.

Gastric Balloon Weight Loss System - Mexico Bariatric Center

Surgery Duration
15 – 30 Minutes

Hotel Stay
1 Night Pre-Op

Hospital Stay
1 Night

Back to Work
2 – 5 Days

How Gastric Balloon Works

The Gastric Balloon procedure takes less than 30 minutes and does not require anesthesia. It remains in place for six months with Orbera and up to one year with Spatz. The balloon placement involves inserting a deflated silicone balloon through the mouth, into the stomach. Then it is inflated with air/gas or saline to 500 ml in volume. On average the stomach can hold 1500 ml of volume, making the stomach capacity only two-thirds of what it was before.

Restricts Stomach Capacity

The inflated balloon creates restriction and creates a feeling of fullness, similar to the components of gastric sleeve and gastric banding. A smaller stomach capacity changes the amount of food you are able to consume and ultimately leads to reducing calorie intake.

Overeating Becomes Uncomfortable

The presence of the balloon in the stomach makes overeating extremely uncomfortable, which ultimately can help form healthier lifetime habits and better portion control. It also delays the food from discharging hunger hormones, making patients feel more satisfied and full for longer.

Gastric Balloon in Procedure Before and After Photo

“Very very happy with my results! It took a lot of hard work but I think it paid off! Thank you Mexico Bariatric Center”

Past Patient

Spatz Gastric Balloon

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrive one day prior to surgery before 12:00 pm PST. Transportation Included. Pre-Op Tests and Stay at Hotel.

Explore Day 1

Day 2 - Surgery

Transportation to Hospital Mi Doctor. Stay for 1 night in our Hospital w/ ICU under 24/7 care.

Explore Day 2

Day 3 - Departure

The driver takes you across the border to San Diego airport. Plan departure flight after 2:00 pm.

Explore Day 3
Gibrán before and after gastric balloon

Is Gastric Balloon Right for Me?

The stomach balloon does have advantages as an incision-less procedure, but it also has disadvantages in terms of effectiveness, losing weight, and overall success. Like with any procedure, there are pros and cons associated with the gastric balloon.

  • Non-surgical: The balloon is inserted orally into your stomach in a fast and efficient manner.
  • Non-invasive: This procedure requires such mild work that many can go home the same day.
  • Temporary: The balloon only remains within the stomach for 6 months (one year for Spatz) before removal.
  • Lower BMI: Patients with smaller body mass with only 20-30 pounds to lose.
  • In some cases, extremely high-BMI patients may need to lose weight with the balloon before being approved for more effective procedures like a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

Gastric Balloon Weight Loss Timeline

The balloon is primarily recommended for those who are prepared to adopt lifestyle changes for the rest of their life. Patients must be serious and are expected to teach themselves better eating and exercise routines. Patients must follow these practices after the balloon has been removed.

Although the intragastric balloon has not been widely studied, some reports have found that, in six months, patients can lose up to 35% of their excess weight – an average of 1 to 2 lbs per week. This compares nicely with the expected 50% with gastric banding and 65% with gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.

What Does the Gastric Balloon Package Include?

Mexico Bariatric Center® offers Orbera as well as Spatz 3 gastric balloon options at discounted prices within our all-inclusive package. We are the only facility that offers hospital stay after balloon placement to improve patient care and reduce potential complications as you are monitored by medical staff.

  • Private Ground Transportation
  • Accredited Hospital with ICU
  • Board Certified Surgeons
  • 24/7 Hospital Staff

  • Hospital Stay & Fees (1 night)

  • Nutrition Program

  • Online Support Group

  • U.S. Surgeon Liaison

  • No Hidden Fees

Take the First Step!







You agree to the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and receive SMS, Email, and/or Call. To opt-out, simply reply ‘STOP’. Your information is NEVER sold or used by 3rd party companies.

Company Channel
Lead Form
UTM Source
UTM Medium
UTM Campaign
UTM Content
UTM Term
Page URL
IP Address

Types of Intragastric Balloon Systems

Orbera Gastric Balloon Diagram

Orbera Gastric Balloon – starting at $3,295

Apollo’s Orbera balloon is the leading Gastric Balloon procedure available. This system gives patients enough time to change their lifestyle and eating habits so that once it’s removed, the habits remain, and they continue to practice healthy practices. As the most widely used weight loss non-surgical device, the Orbera results in:

  • 6 Month (At Time of Removal): Total Body Weight Lost: 12% Median, with a 9.3% to 21% Range.
  • 12 Months (6 Months After Removal): Excess Body Weight Lost: Ranged from 11% to 51% Lost.
  • 36 Months (30 Months After Removal): About 6% Lost of Total Body Weight.

*These results may not be common and individual results may vary.

Spatz3 Gastric Balloon Weight Loss System

Spatz3 Gastric Balloon – starting at $3,495

The Spatz3 balloon is the only balloon that can be adjusted after the first three months. The Spatz3 Gastric Balloon Device is a non-surgical dual balloon system that is proven to increase weight loss results throughout the entire duration of the placement. When the balloons are implanted, patients continue to increase the size to offer more restrictions, up to 750 ml.  It can stay in the stomach for as long as 1 year.

  • 12 Month (At Time of Removal): According to Spatz Medical, the average weight loss is reported at 16 kg (35 lbs) to 25 kg (55 lbs) with the Spatz balloon and program.
Reshape Duo Gastric Balloon Diagram

ReShape Duo Balloon

The ReShape Duo is a newly developed device that is more like a complete weight loss program. It does not cure obesity. However, it can stimulate weight loss. This non-surgical technology utilizes a dual-balloon system to increase the restriction and decrease capacity within the stomach.

  • 6 Month (At Time of Removal): According to a study by ReShape Medical, patients who had the dual balloon procedure and followed the program lost an average of 14.3 lbs. over the course of 6 months that the balloon was inserted.
Obalon Balloon

Obalon Balloon System

A new weight loss system called the Obalon Balloon has joined forces with the obesity epidemic to improve weight loss compared to other balloons. After swallowing, the device inflates inside the stomach and will stay there for up to three months before being removed.

What makes it unique? The pill-shaped balloon gets inserted one at a time onto the esophagus. Patients can have up to 3 balloons in place at one given time.

  • 6 Month (At Time of Removal): Obalon Doctors reported patients losing an average of 21.3 lbs. during the 6-months that the balloon was placed.

Do I Qualify for Gastric Balloon?

Here are the general candidacy requirements to see if you qualify for the gastric balloon. There may be more requirements dependent on your medical history and bariatric provider.

  • Your body mass index (BMI) is between 27 and 35. (BMI = 25+ in Mexico but many surgeons do not frequently accept over 30 BMI)

  • It is not currently advised if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
  • You’re willing to commit to healthy lifestyle changes.
  • You have not had any previous stomach or gastric surgery.

NOTE: Many patients return to their doctor/surgeon to convert from gastric balloon to gastric sleeve if weight loss is insufficient.

Calculate Your BMI

ft
in
lbs
Switch to Metric
Calculate your BMI

Starting Price for Gastric Balloon in Tijuana is $4,295 $3,295*

Get Approved

Pros and Cons of Gastric Balloon Surgery

There is always a chance for any weight loss surgery to face weight gain or failure. The problem with a gastric balloon is after it is removed, there is nothing besides willpower and determination in the way of regaining weight and going back to bad habits.

This is why it is so critical to be 110% committed to making serious lifestyle changes. These include dietary changes, exercise, portion control, post-op diet, and changing your overall life. Conversion of failed stomach balloons can be done through stomach stapling.

Advantages of Gastric Balloon

The gastric balloon basically gives just enough time to change your lifestyle and eating habits so that once it gets removed, patients must try their absolute best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For a more effective procedure, check out gastric sleeve surgery!

The low BMI requirements and the non-surgical component make the gastric balloon easier to qualify for. Also, it is one of the only weight loss options currently available for cosmetic reasons – not only health reasons. Another benefit is the gastric balloon may be a better choice for those that want minimal recovery time.

  • No Major Surgery – Less Invasive
  • No Cutting, Stomach Stapling, Stomach Removal, or
  • Temporary (Reversible)
  • Removable
  • Limited Risks and Side Effects

  • Health Advantages can improve Asthma/Breathing Issues, Type II Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Arthritis, Headaches and Migraines, High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure, Infertility and PCOS Syndrome, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, Cardiovascular Disease, Back Pain and Joint Pain.

Disadvantages of Gastric Balloon

If you have any medical risks due to problems with your bowels/intestines (such as bowel obstruction), any esophageal injuries (Esophagitis), balloon migration, and other related issues, you may want to think about a different weight loss procedure. Balloon endosurgery often produces the following side effects immediately following placement;

The balloon is primarily recommended for those that are prepared to adopt lifestyle changes for the rest of their life. Patients must be serious and are expected to teach themselves better eating and exercise routines and to continue those practices after the balloon is removed.

  • Possible weight gain after removed
  • May cause discomfort
  • Diet and exercise regimen required to be truly effective

  • Risk of Cramping Nausea, Vomiting, Gastro-oesophageal Reflux, Discomfort, and Rupture, especially if it stays in the stomach longer

  • Bowel obstruction due to the migration of an IGB
  • Risk of balloon deflation while inside the stomach, which can cause obstruction
Gibrán before and after gastric balloon

Cost of Gastric Balloon in Mexico

A lot of people flock to the gastric balloon because it’s less expensive compared to other bariatric procedures – hoping to find long-term success losing weight.

  • United States – $7,000 – $12,700
  • Canada – $10,700
  • Costa Rica – $4,900
  • Thailand – $4,700
  • India – $4,450
  • Australia – $4,500 – $8,000
  • Mexico – Starting at $3,295

Mexico Bariatric Center (MBC) offers the two leading intragastric balloons ORBERA and Spatz3 with a proven track record in Tijuana, Mexico at affordable prices. Gastric balloon prices for insertion, adjustment (only Spatz), and removal are quoted separately. We can provide you with accurate feedback about your candidacy and can help save 60-70% of what you could expect to pay for a gastric balloon in the United States.

More Reading

References

* Prices are subject to change. Not valid on blackout dates. Prices depend on the surgeon, surgery, additional fees, and schedule. Prices may rise because of BMI levels and previous abdominal surgeries. The prices shown here are for gastric balloon implementation only.

** All of the testimonials are covered in our disclaimers. Individuals’ results will vary; there is no guarantee stated or implied.

Last Updated: Jan 2020 by Ron Elli, Ph.D.