If you are looking into gastric balloon side effects, you might have noticed that the people selling them do not talk about the bad things that can happen. They usually just mention ” nausea” and then show you before and after pictures. At BodEvolve Bariatric Surgery Center in Texas Dr. Frenzel and our team do not use balloons. This means we can tell you the truth about what to expect.
We want to tell you about every side effect, the serious ones, what happens when the balloon is removed and if it is worth it compared to a permanent solution. We have helped many patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area think about their options. You deserve to know everything before you make a decision.
What Are the Side Effects of a Gastric Balloon?
The common side effects of a gastric balloon happen in the first few days to weeks after it is put in. This is because your body is getting used to having something in your stomach. For patients these are the side effects they will experience:
- Nausea- This is the most common side effect and many patients experience it.
- Vomiting- This is very common during the first few days after placement.
- Stomach pain- This can happen as your stomach adjusts to the balloon.
- Acid reflux and heartburn- The balloon may worsen reflux symptoms.
- Bloating and feeling full. This is expected because the balloon is designed to increase fullness.
- Belching and indigestion- Some patients experience gas, burping, or discomfort after eating.
- Pain- Some patients may develop back pain or abdominal discomfort because of the balloon.
For most patients these side effects of gastric balloon get better after the first few weeks as their body gets used to the balloon.. For some patients they do not get better. And that can lead to big problems.
When Side Effects Do Not Stop: Early Removal
The people selling balloons do not usually talk about this: some patients cannot handle the balloon and need it removed early. If nausea and vomiting are so bad that a patient cannot eat or drink the balloon has to be removed before the six monthsre up. This means:
- You pay the price but do not get the full benefit.
- You have to undergo another procedure to remove the balloon.
- You may not lose weight and still experience the side effects and expense.
This is a problem and it is not rare. It is one of the risks that the people selling gastric balloons do not tell you about. The possibility that you will be one of the patients who cannot handle the balloon.
Long-Term Side Effects of Gastric Balloon
For patients who are looking for long-term side effects of balloons the truth is that there are two parts.
While the balloon is in your stomach:
- You might have reflux the entire time the balloon is in place.
- You might experience nausea that does not go away.
- There is a risk that the balloon could deflate. If it does, it may block your intestines.
- You might develop stomach ulcers because the balloon can irritate the stomach lining.
- There is a risk of bowel obstruction. If the balloon deflates and moves, it can block your intestines.
After the balloon is removed:
- You might gain weight back. Studies show that 30-50% of the weight you lost will come back within one to two years
- The “long-term effect” of a balloon is that you might end up back where you started. Because the balloon is only temporary.
Serious Gastric Balloon Risks
Most gastric balloon risks and side effects are not serious but you should know about the serious ones:
- The balloon can deflate on its own. If it does, it may move into your intestines.
- You might develop a bowel obstruction. If the balloon moves, it can block your intestines and may require emergency surgery.
- You might get a tear in your stomach. Although rare, this can be life-threatening.
- The balloon can place pressure on your pancreas.
- You might become dehydrated if you are vomiting frequently and cannot keep fluids down.
The FDA has warned about deaths related to fluid-filled gastric balloons. These things do not happen often. They can happen. And you should know about them.
Allurion, Orbera and Elipse. Do Side Effects Differ by Balloon?
For patients who are looking for allurion gastric balloon side effects, orbera gastric balloon side effects or elipse gastric balloon side effects, here is the truth:
A. Orbera- This balloon is put in and removed with an endoscope. The side effects are similar to other balloons
B. Allurion (Elipse)- This is a balloon that you take as a pill. It dissolves and passes on its own after a few months. Marketed as gentler, but the swallowable gastric balloon side effects are largely the same: nausea, vomiting, cramping
C. Spatz3- This balloon can be adjusted. If the side effects are too bad the doctor can make it smaller. It stays in longer
The truth is that the gastric balloon pill side effects (Allurion/Elipse) are similar no matter what kind you get. The balloon works by taking up space in your stomach. That is what causes the nausea. No matter what kind of balloon you have.
Gastric Balloon Removal Side Effects
For patients who are looking for information about gastric balloon removal side effects or side effects after gastric balloon removal, here is the truth. The removal itself is usually straightforward. It is done with an endoscope for Orbera and the Allurion balloon passes on its own. But there are effects to know about:
- You might have nausea after the balloon is removed as your stomach readjusts.
- You might feel hungrier. Your appetite can return once the balloon is gone.
- You might regain weight. This is one of the biggest “removal side effects” because the tool helping you eat less is no longer there.
- You might overeat. Some patients struggle with eating too much once the balloon is removed.
The problem is that once the balloon is removed the only thing that was helping you eat less is gone. Unlike surgery there is no change left behind.
How Long Do Gastric Balloon Side Effects Last?
For patients the acute side effects of gastric balloon surgery (nausea, vomiting, cramping) last a few days to two weeks as their body gets used to the balloon..
- Some patients experience side effects the entire time the balloon is in place.
- Some patients never adjust to the balloon and need to have it removed early.
- You might experience reflux the whole time the balloon is in your stomach.
- You might start gaining weight again after the balloon is removed.
So the truth is that the bad side effects usually go away in a few weeks but the fact that the balloon is temporary lasts forever.
Are Gastric Balloon Side Effects Worth It? An Honest Comparison
This is the question that matters. You are weighing the things that can happen against the results. So lets be honest about what you get.
| Factor | Gastric Balloon | Gastric Sleeve | Gastric Bypass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side effect duration | Days to 6 months | Days to weeks (then resolved) | Days to weeks (then resolved) |
| Average weight loss | 10–15% body weight | 60–70% excess weight | 70–80% excess weight |
| Permanent? | No — removed at 6 months | Yes | Yes |
| Weight regain | 30–50% within 1–2 years | Minimal long-term | Minimal long-term |
| Risk of early removal | Real | N/A | N/A |
The truth is that you go through the bad side effects of a gastric balloon for a device that comes out in six months and whose results often reverse. Gastric sleeve surgery has a recovery time but the side effects go away the change is permanent and the weight loss is much greater.
Why We Do Not Offer Gastric Balloons
At BodEvolve we focus on procedures that have proven long-term results. That is why we do not do gastric balloon procedures. It is not that balloons are useless. For some patients they can be helpful.
For most patients a balloon means accepting real side effects for a temporary result that usually reverses. That’s not a trade we think most patients should make when bariatric surgery cost without insurance offers permanent results from a one-time procedure. And for those weighing the financial side, our honest gastric balloon cost breakdown shows the value math rarely favors the balloon either.
Who Should Avoid Gastric Balloons Entirely?
Some patients should not get a balloon at all:
- Anyone who has had stomach or esophageal surgery before.
- Patients with a hiatal hernia.
- Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) tract conditions.
- Patients with acid reflux, since the balloon can make reflux worse.
- Anyone with a BMI of 40+ who may qualify for a more effective bariatric surgery option.
- Patients with obesity-related health conditions who need more durable, long-term results.
For these patients spending months on a balloons side effects is time and money better spent on a solution that actually works.
The Honest Bottom Line
Gastric balloon side effects are real, common and bad enough to require removal. Nausea, vomiting, reflux and cramping are almost universal in the few weeks and rare serious complications exist. You accept all of this for a device that is removed in six months and whose weight loss often reverses afterward.
We are not saying that balloons are never an idea. For the right patient they can be helpful. If you have a lot of weight to lose you deserve to know that you would be going through these side effects for a temporary fix, when a permanent solution exists.
At BodEvolve Dr. Frenzel and our team are happy to give you an assessment of whether a balloon, surgery or another path makes the most sense, for your specific situation. No matter what you ultimately choose.
Bariatric Care Across Texas
1. Arlington- serving Tarrant County
2. Richardson- our primary facility
3. Dallas- serving central Dallas County
4. Texarkana- Serving East Texas and Southwest Arkansas
Do not commit to something that will give you months of side effects for a device that’s only temporary. You should schedule a consultation, with Dr. Frenzel to find out what will actually work for your goals.
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