Obesity continues to rise in the United States, and the only solution that the medical world has offered for help was to undergo an invasive bariatric surgery. The qualification process to have one of these surgeries is often very difficult, and then there is the pain, discomfort, and long recovery to consider. Surgery is also expensive and is often not a good option for the individual, but there are a few alternatives that do not require surgery. A gastric balloon costs less and does not make any permanent alterations to your body.
Today, we are going to talk about this safer, non-surgical weight loss option and explain what a gastric balloon is, how it works to help you lose weight, and how much a gastric balloon procedure costs compared to surgical options.
How Much Does a Gastric Balloon Cost in Los Angeles, CA?
Currently, there are only two FDA-approved gastric balloons available in the United States, which are the Spatz3 and the Orbera.
The cost of a gastric balloon procedure in Los Angeles, CA, can run anywhere between $5,500 and $9,000. The costs for gastric balloons vary for many reasons and can be based on location, the doctor, the type of balloon, and what is included in the price.
Some clinics offer all-inclusive pricing, so the cost that is published includes:
- Facility and Dr. fees
- The balloon device
- Placement
- Removal
- Sedation
- A full 12-month program
- Ongoing support
Make sure you have a clear understanding of your financial outlay because some clinics list a low base price but add required fees later. Ask questions about what the price you are quoted includes and if there are any other required costs that you are expected to cover.
Gastric Balloon Cost vs. Bariatric Surgery
If you are wondering how gastric balloon costs compare to the cost of bariatric surgery, you will see from the information below that it is significantly less expensive.
| Weight Loss Solution | Average Cost Nationwide |
|---|---|
| Orbera Gastric Balloon | $8,150 |
| Spatz3 Balloon | $8,150 |
| Gastric Lap Band Surgery | $15,200 |
| Gastric Sleeve Surgery | $19,300 |
| Gastric Bypass Surgery | $24,300 |
| Duodenal Switch Surgery | $27,324 |
Value vs. Cost of a Gastric Balloon
Most people like to have a good understanding of what they will get for their money before they pay for something. This is understandable and a smart way to determine if what you get is worth the cost. Losing weight with a gastric balloon procedure is well worth the money and offers many benefits, including:
- There is no surgery or incisions required because it is done using an endoscope.
- The procedure is minimally invasive and offers a very quick recovery, with most people able to return to their normal routine in just a few days.
- The balloon helps overcome the challenge of overeating because it takes up space in your stomach, which reduces feelings of hunger and controls your portion sizes.
- It offers significant weight loss potential, which averages around 15% of their starting weight for most patients, but we have seen numerous patients exceed the averages.
- The balloon is temporary and can be removed at any time without making any permanent changes to their stomach or digestive system.
- The risk profile and potential for complications are substantially lower compared to bariatric surgery.
- Losing weight with a balloon can improve or eliminate serious health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and mobility issues.
- A 12-month balloon weight loss program helps you learn better ways of doing things, which can be life-changing and can help you make permanent changes to your lifestyle to improve your health and help you reach your goals.
What Is the Gastric Balloon Cost with Insurance?
Unfortunately, insurance carriers do not routinely cover gastric balloon procedures, but luckily, it is one of the most affordable non-surgical weight loss treatments on the market today.
Most doctors offer financing options and monthly payment plans that can break down the cost of your gastric balloon procedure into smaller, more affordable monthly payments. Gastrointestinal Non-Surgical Weight Loss Solutions offers several different financial options for your convenience. Using an FSA or HSA health spending account can also help offset the costs.
What Is a Gastric Balloon?
Before we get into how much a gastric balloon costs in the United States these days, let’s go over some basic information about this non-surgical weight loss tool, so you will have a good understanding of what you are getting for your money.
A gastric balloon is a smooth medical device shaped like a sphere that is temporarily placed in your stomach during a short endoscopic procedure. Once it is in place, it is filled with a saline solution until it is about the size of a medium grapefruit to limit the usable capacity of your stomach. You have a continuous feeling of fullness, and you can only eat very small portions.
Depending on the type of balloon chosen, it remains in your stomach for anywhere between six and nine months before being removed through a similar procedure. Each balloon procedure includes a twelve-month doctor-supervised program that includes nutritional counseling, lifestyle coaching, and guidance from a team of experts that is designed to educate you and shift unhealthy behavior patterns to healthy lifestyle choices that aid in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
What Happens During a Gastric Balloon Procedure?
Before you can go forward with a gastric balloon procedure, you will consult with your chosen doctor so they can assess your health, get your medical history, and speak with you about the results you wish to achieve. You will also need to have some basic blood work done and some other testing to ensure there will not be any issues with placing the balloon and to ensure the gastric balloon is a suitable procedure for you.
If everything looks great, your doctor will set up a day for your balloon placement and give you some directions you will need to follow to get ready for your procedure. You will be given a special diet to follow for several days prior to your procedure, and then you will follow the standard rule of nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your procedure.
Standard Gastric Balloon Placement Steps
- The procedure will only take between 20 and 30 minutes, and you will be placed under mild sedation so you remain relaxed and comfortable.
- Your Gastrointestinal Non-Surgical Weight Loss Solutions expert will place a deflated balloon down your throat and into your stomach using a special medical tool called an endoscope. This tool looks like a skinny, hollow tube and is very flexible, but the most interesting thing about an endoscope is that it has a tiny camera attached to the end that streams live video to a monitor that is near the doctor, so they can clearly see everything they are doing without having to make any incisions.
- Once the balloon is in the right spot, the doctor fills it with sterile saline until it reaches a diameter of anywhere between around 11 and 13 centimeters. It takes up a significant amount of space in your stomach and leaves very little room, so you cannot eat too much.
- Once the balloon is filled, the doctor removes the endoscope, and you spend some time under observation while the effects of the sedation wear off.
- Next, you will be discharged to go home to rest and begin your recovery. Most people experience some discomfort for a few days that might include nausea or cramping, but they will subside as your body gets used to the balloon.
For the next year, you will work with your doctor and weight loss support team to break unhealthy lifestyle habits and implement permanent changes that will help you reach weight loss goals and maintain your results. During this time, your balloon will be removed using a procedure very similar to how it was placed, and no recovery time will be needed. You will immediately return to your normal routine and continue to follow your new, healthier lifestyle pattern throughout the rest of your 12-month supervised program.
How Does a Gastric Balloon Help You Lose Weight?
- The balloon takes up a significant portion of the space in your stomach, which only allows you to eat very small portions.
- You feel an ongoing sense of fullness, so eating a very small amount makes you feel full sooner, so you eat less and get hungry less often.
- You stay feeling full, which helps you avoid consuming extra calories through snacking between meals.
- Your supervised program helps you learn how to read hunger cues, teaches the importance of proper nutrition, and helps you develop permanent habits and make healthier food and lifestyle choices going forward.
Where Can I Find Out More About Gastric Balloon Costs And Availability In Los Angeles, CA?
Gastrointestinal Non-Surgical Weight Loss Solutions in Arcadia, CA, offers gastric balloon procedures and comprehensive support programs to ensure your success.
Set up a consultation today, and a member of our expert team will help determine if a gastric balloon is right for you and your circumstances. They will review your goals, explain the details of the procedure, go over pricing, and help you choose the right weight loss plan to help you reach your goals. Contact us today, and let us help you live a healthier tomorrow!
