If the idea of surgery stops you before you even ask, know this: there's a non-surgical option that might be the push you need.
In short: if surgery isn't right for you, or isn't right yet, a gastric balloon is a non-surgical, temporary option. A soft balloon is placed in your stomach through your mouth, filled with saline, and removed after about six months. It helps you feel full on less while you build the habits that keep weight off. Transform has placed gastric balloons since 2008 and offers the balloon to patients in the Seattle area and Portland as part of a physician-led program.
A gastric balloon is a soft balloon placed in your stomach through your mouth, with no incisions. Once in place, it's filled with saline so it takes up space, which helps you feel full on smaller portions. Transform uses an adjustable balloon, so your physician can change the fill if you need it. It's temporary: the balloon is removed after about six months.
Think of it as a head start. The balloon makes eating less easier while you build the habits that keep weight off after it comes out.
Bryan went from a playing weight in football to putting on weight. Working with Dr. Billing, he lost almost 200 pounds and regained his life.
Skye spent a lifetime struggling with her weight. After learning about her options and talking with Dr. Billing, she found a solution that was right for her.
Sean reached a point where he wanted a serious effort and a long-term solution for himself and his family. He lost weight and found a sustainable path forward.
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A balloon may be a fit if you:
It may not be right if you’ve had stomach surgery before, have a large hiatal hernia, or have certain digestive conditions. It isn’t recommended if you’ve had any type of weight loss surgery in the past.
In clinical studies, people with a gastric balloon lost roughly 10 to 15% of their total body weight over six months, considerably more than diet and exercise alone in the same studies. The pattern that matters: patients who stayed with the coaching program kept more of the weight off after removal than those who didn’t.
Most side effects are temporary and digestive. Less common but serious risks include balloon deflation, blockage, ulcers, and pancreatitis. Your physician will go through these with you before you decide.
Most insurance plans don’t cover gastric balloons, so it’s usually a self-pay procedure. Financing is available, and we’ll walk you through the full cost, including the coaching program around the balloon, at your consultation.
Transform offers the gastric balloon to patients across the greater Seattle area and Portland. Consultations, testing, and follow-up happen at our Lynnwood, Kirkland, Edmonds, or Portland clinic, or by video. The procedure itself takes place at our surgery center in Edmonds, Washington.
Bottom line: the balloon is the head start, and the program around it is what makes the results last. Whether it fits you depends on your health, your goals, and what you’ve already tried. Could a gastric balloon be right for you?
No. The balloon is placed and removed through the mouth, with no incisions, during short outpatient procedures under sedation.
About six months. After it’s removed, your nutrition and coaching program continues.
Most insurance plans don’t cover gastric balloons. We offer financing and will walk you through the costs at your consultation.
The habits you built while the balloon was in place are what keep the weight off. Your Transform team keeps supporting you after removal.
In clinical studies, roughly 10 to 15% of total body weight over six months. Results depend heavily on how closely you follow the nutrition and coaching program while the balloon is in place.
Placement is done under sedation, so you won’t feel it. Nausea, cramping, and discomfort are common for the first few days as your stomach adjusts, and your team gives you medication and a plan to manage them.
