The intragastric balloon procedure is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that involves placing a deflated silicone balloon into the stomach through the mouth and esophagus. Once inside the stomach, the balloon is filled with saline solution to partially fill the stomach, creating a feeling of fullness and reducing the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. The procedure typically takes 20-30 minutes and is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.

Before the procedure, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation to determine their eligibility for the intragastric balloon procedure. Patients who are over weight, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, and who have not had success with traditional weight loss methods such as diet and exercise may be candidates for the procedure.