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Orbera Gastric Balloon: What to Expect

About Orbera Weight Loss Balloon

Preparing for Your Procedure

Instructions may vary among specialists but the following are some general pre-procedure guidelines on how to prepare for your gastric balloon procedure. The Orbera gastric balloon is placed through an endoscopic procedure which takes approximately 20-30 mins and requires sedation. Most resume daily activities the following day.

Pre-Procedure Diet

  • Limit your intake to liquids starting 24 hrs before your procedure
    • These usually include:
      • Water
      • beef/vegetable/chicken broth
      • Gelatin
      • Popsicles
      • Decaf coffee or tea
      • Protein drinks ** double check with your specialist
      • Juice
    • Drink PLENTY of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.
    • STOP drinking starting at about 6 hours before your procedure

Medications

Your physician’s staff will review your medications but typically if you take morning medications, you can continue to do so with a few sips of water. Only take what’s necessary, for example, medications for:

  • Reflux
  • Thyroid
  • Seizures
  • Depression
  • Irregular heart rhythms
  • Blood pressure
  • Asthma
  • COPD

For Those Who Are Diabetics

**Very Important** Discuss pre-procedure diet with your primary care provider or whoever manages your diabetes. You may need to decrease your medications or make sure you get enough carbs through liquid form so that your blood sugar doesn’t drop too low while using the weight loss balloon.

Bowel Preparation

You do not have to do a full bowel prep (like you would for a colonoscopy), but it’s typically recommended that 2 days before your gastric balloon procedure, you take a stool softener such as Colace or MiraLAX.

Sedation

Since sedation will likely be used to make your procedure go smoothly and make you as comfortable as possible, be sure to inform your specialist of any of the following:

  • Any adverse or allergic reactions to prior sedation
  • Family history of serious reactions to sedation or anesthesia
  • Difficulty with your airway (for example: prior neck surgery or been told you have a small airway in the past)
  • Severe sleep apnea, requiring oxygen
  • Unstable heart rate
  • History of severe nausea and vomiting after sedation.

Transportation

Because of the sedation, you will need a driver to get you to and from the facility because you will not be alert enough to drive after being sedated. Public transportation is not recommended.