Side Effects of ReShape Gastric Balloon

The ReShape gastric balloon is an exciting new treatment for obesity in the United States, and we are fortunate enough to have placed more balloons than just about any other practice in the country.  One of the most common questions that I get asked is if patients can “feel” then balloon or what the side effects are after they get it placed. Implantation of the balloon is simple, requiring just IV sedation and a 20 minute outpatient procedure involving an endoscopy. After the procedure, as the video above outlines, most patients have some nausea, and sometimes occasional vomiting, for a day or two after the procedure (in some patients it can persists beyond).  Patients should be prepared to take it easy for a couple of days.  It may be possible to return to work the day after a ReShape gastric balloon but you shouldn’t count on it for sure. Nausea medications such as Zofran and phenergan are prescribed to help you through any nausea that occurs, as well as a medication called Levsin that can alleviate any cramping that you may feel for the first few days. As far as actually being able to “feel” the balloon, most patients say they can “tell that it’s in there” but can’t actually feel it.  In fact no patients have yet told me they can physically feel their balloon. We are seeing really great weight loss results with both the ReShape and Orbera gastric balloons, with most patients losing 10-15 pounds in just the first month.  We expect most patients to lose 30-60 pounds over the six month period when the balloons are in.  As with any weight loss program though, the more a patient puts into it, the more they will get out of it! Happy Losing, Dr. Trace Curry