ORBERA® Balloon
Speak with an expert today!
- Minimally Invasive
- Weight Loss Program
- Adjustable Gastric Balloon
ABOUT ORBERA® BALLOON
The ORBERA® Managed Weight Loss System is a non-surgical procedure that helps patients initiate and maintain long-term weight loss. The procedure involves placing a small silicone balloon into the stomach under mild sedation.
Once the balloon is inside the stomach, it is inflated with saline. The inflated balloon takes up space so you feel full faster, consume smaller portions of food, and lose weight. The balloon is typically removed after 6 months.
While other types of gastric balloons can be used for weight loss, the ORBERA® gastric balloon is different in that it is completely smooth with no additional parts, helping minimize stomach irritation.
Who It's For
ORBERA® works well for moderately overweight individuals over 21 years old who haven’t succeeded with diet and exercise alone but want to break through weight loss barriers without surgery. The ORBERA® balloon offers an alternative to invasive surgical weight loss procedures and can be a good option for those reluctant to undergo surgery or to use expensive or cumbersome weight loss injections.
How The Procedure Works
How Much Weight You’ll Lose
During the treatment period with the ORBERA® gastric balloon, the average person loses 3x more weight than with exercise and diet alone. In a U.S. clinical study, patients lost an average of 21.8 pounds within 6 months, but motivated patients may lose far more, especially as you see the pounds come off quickly after balloon placement.
At True You, the average weight loss is between 30 and 50 pounds, though our patients have lost as much as 110 pounds. Best of all, when you undergo an ORBERA® gastric balloon placement at True You, you’re more likely to keep the weight off as we partner together over the next 12 months with comprehensive diet, exercise, nutrition, and behavioral counseling. Our goal is to help you lose weight and keep it off!ORBERA® REVISION VIDEO LIBRARY
WHY CHOOSE TRUE YOU FOR ORBERA®?
Endoscopic
Expertise
Placing an endoscopic gastric balloon is a technically challenging procedure that requires a high level of endoscopic skill and experience. Dr. Christopher McGowan is among the few physicians in the nation who are triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine, and is a leader in the area of endobariatrics. He's performed hundreds of gastric balloon procedures.
The Nation’s Most Comprehensive Aftercare
Our medical and patient support teams are here to support you for every step of your ORBERA® journey, including before, during, and after your procedure. You’ll have a full team of experts to help you achieve your goals, including physicians, nurses, registered dietitians, and our expert clinical team. Our focus is to provide you with the medical and nutritional guidance you need to reach your goal.
24/7 Physician
Access
Whether you live in North Carolina or Georgia or are traveling from another state altogether, when you work with our team for your ORBERA® gastric balloon or any other procedure, you will receive the highest level of concierge care. All patients have 24/7 direct access to their physician via personal cell phone, text, email, and video chat. We remain committed to your success throughout your weight loss journey.
ORBERA® Gastric Balloon
STARTING AT
$122/Monthly*
or $5,995
*Financing offers subject to credit approval,
and may vary based on individual
credit history.
- INITIAL CONSULTATION
- PRE-PROCEDURE LABS
- COMPREHENSIVE BARIATRIC NUTRITION CONSULTATION
- ORBERA® Procedures (inclusive of all facility, anesthesia, and physician fees)
- 24/7 DIRECT PHYSICIAN ACCESS
- POST-PROCEDURE NURSE VISIT WITH IV HYDRATION
- 1 YEAR OF ONE-ON-ONE NUTRITION COUNSELING
- FINANCING AVAILABLE*
Self-Pay
Pricing
Many of our patients simply don’t want surgery. At the same time, they feel hopeless because the lifestyle modifications of diet and exercise simply aren’t effective. True You provides solutions when you feel as though you’re out of options. While the ORBERA® procedure is not covered by insurance, we offer several financing options.
Traveling from Out Of State?
Patients have traveled to True You from more than 45 states and 10 countries. Our locations are near international airports for ease of travel and we have made arrangements with several local hotels for your convenience. Please note that all patients must be accompanied by a responsible adult when traveling from out of state.
frequently asked questions
Who is not eligible for Orbera®?
You are not eligible for ORBERA® if you have had prior stomach or bariatric surgery, including hiatal hernia repair, lap band, or gastric bypass. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not eligible for any gastric balloon. Finally, those who use anti-inflammatory medications daily, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are also not eligible.
Does insurance cover it?
No, insurance does not cover the ORBERA® balloon, but we offer financing options.
Why doesn’t insurance cover it?
At this time, it is considered a “cosmetic” procedure, even though weight loss can be expected to reduce your risk of other serious health issues.
How much is a gastric balloon?
Our pricing starts at $127/month. The total cost is $5995. View our pricing page for additional details.
When was this procedure approved by the FDA?
How long does the procedure take?
Both the balloon insertion and removal take approximately 20 minutes.
How is this different than bariatric surgery?
ORBERA® is a completely non-invasive, reversible weight loss treatment. The balloon is removed after six months and does not permanently alter your anatomy. It is performed under sedation but not general anesthesia (no ventilator is required). Bariatric surgery permanently alters the anatomy of the stomach. Anesthesia is required for bariatric surgery.
How often do I have to come into the office after the procedure?
You will need to be seen by your physician approximately 1-2 weeks after your balloon is placed. You will then meet with your True You Weight Loss team once each month for the entire 12-month treatment program. These sessions may be conducted in person or via video conference (telemedicine) from the comfort of your home. Your physician will be available to see you throughout the treatment period, though we do not require mandatory office visits on a set schedule.
What does it feel like to have the balloon in my stomach?
Many people say it feels like they’ve eaten a large meal immediately after the procedure. You may experience nausea, cramping, and sometimes even vomiting in the first few days after placement, as the stomach is getting used to the balloon. After a few weeks, the ability to “tell” where the balloon is goes away. It is not noticeable during exercise, according to our patients.
Can you see the balloon in there?
How much weight will I lose?
Weight loss is rapid after the placement of the ORBERA® gastric balloon, with most weight loss occurring in the first 3-4 months. It is important for you to understand that the balloon is a tool to aid weight loss and must be used in conjunction with a diet, exercise, and behavior modification program.
The amount of weight you lose and maintain will depend on how closely you follow your diet and adopt long-term lifestyle changes. In studies, people lost an average of 13% of their body weight at 6 months. Those with the balloon lost 3 times more weight than those on a diet and exercise program alone. That means that if you weigh 250 pounds, you would be reasonably expected to lose about 32 pounds. The range of weight loss depends on the person and their motivation. In general, patients in our program lose an average of 30-50 pounds.
Will I keep the weight off?
Long-term success after ORBERA® will depend on whether you make the appropriate lifestyle and diet changes during the 12-month treatment program. The balloon itself is a very effective tool to promote weight loss. Six months is sufficient for most patients to sustain the behavioral changes they make.
The overall program is 12 months long, so we can monitor you and ensure that you continue to succeed after the balloon is removed. Studies show that most patients continue to lose weight for 3 months after the balloon is removed and maintain their weight loss for the following year. After one year, a small percentage of patients may begin to regain weight.
What happens if I don’t lose as much weight as I want, or if my weight loss is slower than expected?
Can I have the ORBERA® balloon a second time?
Yes. If for some reason you do not reach your weight loss goals following your initial ORBERA® treatment, it is possible to be treated again with an ORBERA® balloon. We would first assist you in addressing any underlying dietary, exercise, or behavioral factors that may have contributed to your insufficient weight loss.
What are the risks of the procedure?
Gastric balloons have been used in the management of obesity for over 20 years. Over this time they have evolved in shape, size, and design, resulting in a modern, durable product, which is now well established as a safe weight loss procedure. Over 300,000 ORBERA® balloons have been placed worldwide. The risk of a serious side effect is about 1 in 10,000. Potential serious side effects include stomach ulceration, balloon deflation, bowel obstruction, intestinal perforation, and death. For more information on the precautions, risks, and benefits, review this information booklet provided by ORBERA®.
What is the chance that the balloon will deflate in the stomach?
Balloon deflation is a rare event, typically related to a balloon that has been in the stomach for over 6 months. This event is estimated to occur in 0.3% of patients (3 out of every 1000 patients).
Can I exercise with the ORBERA® balloon in my stomach?
Yes! Exercise is one of the keys to succeeding. We recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 5 days each week, and ideally a total of 60 minutes, 5 days a week. You can do any type of exercise you like, including walking, running, swimming, weight training, aerobics, kickboxing, even Crossfit! Our patients do every type of exercise you can think of. There are no restrictions.
Can I travel or fly?
Yes, there are no travel restrictions with ORBERA®. The balloon is not affected by altitude, so it is safe to travel by plane.
Can I do sit-ups and abdominal exercises?
Yes! The balloon is not affected in any way by abdominal exercises, so feel free to train your core. The balloon is protected by your stomach and abdominal wall and won’t be harmed by any type of routine abdominal exercise or activity.
