Dr. Samhitha Reddy
Consultant Proctologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon
MBBS, MS, FMAS, FISCP, DMAS
- 8 Yrs
- ASCRS Member
Bariatric · Non-Surgical Weight Loss
Gastric Balloon in Hyderabad: Non-Surgical Weight Loss at Lux Hospitals
The gastric balloon is the gentlest option in weight-loss medicine. There is no incision, nothing is cut or stapled, and nothing about your anatomy is permanently changed: a soft balloon simply occupies space in the stomach so you feel full sooner.
It suits people whose BMI is too low for bariatric surgery, or who want to try a reversible approach first. Our team at Lux Hospitals, HITEC CITY places it endoscopically in twenty to thirty minutes, and you go home the same day.
- No Incisions
- 20–30 Minute Procedure
- Fully Reversible
What is a Gastric Balloon?
A gastric balloon is a soft, inflatable device placed inside the stomach to occupy space. With less room available, you feel full after eating considerably less, and that restriction is what drives the weight loss. It is temporary and fully reversible.
There are three main types. A swallowable balloon comes as a capsule you swallow, which is then inflated through a thin tube and needs no endoscopy at all. An endoscopic balloon is placed and inflated through an endoscope under sedation. An adjustable balloon can have its volume changed partway through the treatment period, to renew the effect as your stomach accommodates.
It is important to understand what it is and is not. The balloon buys you six to twelve months during which eating less is genuinely easier: it is a window for establishing new habits, not a permanent solution. Weight regain after removal is common in those who treat it as a device rather than as a programme.
How the Gastric Balloon Works
The mechanism is mostly mechanical, with a modest hormonal contribution. It is simpler than surgical procedures, and correspondingly less powerful.
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Physical space occupation
The balloon occupies 400–700ml of stomach volume, so far less food is needed before the stomach registers as full.
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Delayed gastric emptying
The balloon slows the rate at which the stomach empties, so fullness after a meal lasts longer.
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Earlier satiety signals
Stretch receptors in the stomach wall are triggered by smaller volumes, sending fullness signals sooner.
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Modest hormonal effect
Ghrelin levels fall somewhat, reducing hunger, though far less than after a sleeve gastrectomy.
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A window for habit change
Six to twelve months in which smaller portions feel natural, which is the real opportunity the balloon provides.
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Structured support alongside
Dietitian input during the balloon period is what converts temporary restriction into lasting habit.
The balloon does the easy part. Whether the weight stays off after removal depends almost entirely on what you did with the twelve months it gave you.
Who is the Gastric Balloon For?
The balloon fills a real gap: it serves people whose BMI is below the threshold for bariatric surgery but for whom diet alone has not worked.
You may be a candidate if
- Your BMI is between 27 and 35 with obesity-related conditions
- You have struggled to lose weight with diet and exercise alone
- You want a temporary, reversible weight-loss procedure
- Your BMI is below the threshold for bariatric surgery
- You are not ready to commit to permanent surgery
It is also used when
- Weight loss is needed before another operation can be done safely
- A very high BMI needs reducing before bariatric surgery
- Surgery is contraindicated for medical reasons
- You want to trial the experience of restricted eating first
- Obesity-related conditions need improving quickly
It is not suitable if you have had previous stomach surgery, a large hiatal hernia, significant reflux, or an untreated ulcer: the endoscopy beforehand exists to identify exactly these.
Pre-Procedure Assessment
The assessment is lighter than for surgery, but the endoscopy is essential: several stomach conditions make a balloon unsafe.
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Clinical and BMI assessment
Height, weight, BMI and weight history, along with a review of previous weight-loss attempts and current medication.
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Upper GI endoscopy
Examines the stomach and oesophagus for ulcers, a large hiatal hernia, significant reflux or previous surgery: each of which rules the balloon out.
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Blood tests
Full blood count, glucose, HbA1c, lipids, thyroid, and liver and kidney function.
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Abdominal ultrasound
Assesses for fatty liver and gallstones, both common in this group.
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Metabolic assessment
Blood pressure, diabetes screening and cardiovascular risk, so improvement can be measured objectively.
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Dietitian consultation
Planning the dietary programme that will run alongside the balloon: the part that determines whether the result lasts.
Most patients are assessed and scheduled within a week or two. The workup is genuinely lighter than for surgery, because the procedure itself is.
Weight-Loss Treatment Options
The balloon sits between medical management and bariatric surgery. Knowing where it fits helps set realistic expectations.
Non-surgical
Non-surgical approaches
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Gastric balloon
Endoscopic, reversible, no incisions, and typically 10–15% total body weight loss over six to twelve months.
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Structured dietary programme
Dietitian-led planning and review. Effective for many, and it runs alongside the balloon rather than instead of it.
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Weight-loss medication
GLP-1 receptor agonists produce comparable or greater weight loss than a balloon, though weight is regained if stopped.
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Exercise and behavioural therapy
Graded activity with behavioural work on eating patterns: essential alongside every other approach.
Surgical
Surgical procedures, for comparison
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Sleeve gastrectomy
Permanent, 50–70% excess weight loss, and a strong hormonal effect on hunger. Far more powerful than a balloon, and irreversible.
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Gastric bypass
The most effective procedure for weight and diabetes, with correspondingly greater commitment and lifelong supplements.
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Balloon as a bridge to surgery
Used to reduce a very high BMI so that subsequent bariatric or other surgery can be performed more safely.
The honest comparison: a balloon typically achieves 10–15% total body weight loss, against 25–30% for a sleeve. It asks far less of you, and it delivers proportionately less.
What Gastric Balloon Placement Involves
A twenty to thirty minute day-care procedure under light sedation. No incisions, no scars, and you go home the same day.
Endoscopic balloon placement
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Pre-procedure evaluation
Medical tests, BMI and metabolic assessment, and the endoscopy that confirms your stomach is suitable.
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Sedation
Light sedation or a short general anaesthetic. Most patients remember nothing of the procedure.
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Inspecting the stomach
An endoscope is passed through the mouth to inspect the stomach lining and confirm there is no ulcer or abnormality.
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Placing the balloon
The deflated balloon is passed into the stomach through the endoscope, or, for a swallowable balloon, simply swallowed as a capsule.
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Inflating the balloon
It is filled with 400–700ml of sterile saline, usually with a blue dye that would colour your urine if it ever leaked. Position is confirmed visually.
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Recovery and monitoring
Two to four hours of observation with anti-sickness and antispasmodic medication, then home the same day.
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Removal at six to twelve months
A second short endoscopy deflates and removes the balloon. Swallowable balloons deflate on their own and pass naturally.
The first three to five days are the difficult part. Nausea and cramping as the stomach adjusts to the balloon are expected, and are managed with medication that is prescribed in advance rather than in response.
Why Choose Lux Hospitals for Gastric Balloon?
The balloon is straightforward to place. Making it work is about what surrounds it. Here is why patients trust us:
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Experienced bariatric team
Led by Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi, with fellowships in bariatric surgery (USA) and robotic surgery (Korea) and 28 years of experience.
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Dietitian-led programme
Structured support throughout the balloon period, so the restriction becomes a habit rather than a phase.
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Comprehensive care
From the first consultation through to post-treatment follow-up, with one team throughout.
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Convenient location
Our hospital is in HITEC CITY, near IKEA: easily reachable from across Hyderabad.
Recovery & Aftercare
The procedure itself needs no recovery. The first week with the balloon in place is the part that takes adjusting to.
- Days 0–3
Nausea, cramping and occasional vomiting as the stomach adjusts. This is expected. Anti-sickness medication is prescribed in advance, and liquids only.
- Days 4–7
Symptoms settle markedly. Progress from liquids to soft foods. Most patients return to work by the end of the first week.
- Weeks 2–4
Normal foods resume in much smaller portions. Weight loss is usually rapid in this period, and the restriction feels natural.
- Months 2–6
Steady weight loss with dietitian review. Most of the total loss happens in the first four to six months.
- Months 6–12
Weight loss slows as the stomach accommodates. Balloon removed at the end of the period, and the habits established carry it forward.
Aftercare
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Take the anti-sickness medication
Take it regularly for the first few days rather than waiting for nausea. This is the single thing that makes the first week tolerable.
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Follow the diet progression
Liquids for the first few days, then soft foods, then a normal balanced diet in small portions. Avoid high-calorie foods throughout.
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Use the window well
Regular exercise and dietitian follow-up during the balloon period. This is what determines whether the weight stays off afterwards.
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Take acid suppression
A proton pump inhibitor is prescribed for the whole balloon period, to protect the stomach lining from the device.
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When to call us
Severe persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, severe abdominal pain, or blue-green urine, which would indicate balloon leakage.
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Keep every review
Regular dietitian and medical reviews throughout, and the scheduled removal. A balloon left beyond its intended period risks deflation and migration.
Weight regain after removal is common, and it is common because the balloon was treated as the treatment. Those who use the twelve months to build genuinely different habits do far better.
When Should You Consider a Gastric Balloon?
Book a consultation if any of the following apply.
- Your BMI is 27–35 with obesity-related health conditions.
- Diet and exercise alone have not produced lasting weight loss.
- You want a reversible option rather than permanent surgery.
- Your BMI is below the threshold for bariatric surgery.
- You need to lose weight before another operation can be done safely.
Cost of Gastric Balloon in Hyderabad
The balloon is generally not covered by insurance, since it is regarded as a non-surgical weight-management procedure. These are the self-pay ranges.
| Procedure | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Consultation & assessment Per visit | ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 |
| Pre-procedure workup Endoscopy, bloods and ultrasound | ₹12,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Endoscopic gastric balloon Includes placement, balloon and removal | ₹1,60,000 – ₹2,60,000 |
| Swallowable gastric balloon No endoscopy needed; passes naturally | ₹1,80,000 – ₹2,80,000 |
| Adjustable gastric balloon Twelve months, with mid-term volume adjustment | ₹2,20,000 – ₹3,20,000 |
| Dietitian programme Across the balloon period, usually included | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 |
What changes the estimate
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Type of balloon
Swallowable and adjustable balloons cost more than a standard endoscopic one, and offer different advantages.
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Duration of treatment
A six-month balloon costs less than a twelve-month adjustable device, which requires an additional adjustment procedure.
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Whether removal is included
Most packages include both placement and removal. Check this: a separate removal endoscopy is a meaningful additional cost.
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Room category
A shared ward, a twin-sharing room or a private suite: the largest single swing in most estimates.
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Insurance & TPA cover
We are empanelled with most major insurers, and our team files the pre-authorisation for you.
Every figure above is an indicative range, not a quote. After your consultation you are given a written, fixed-cost estimate, and that is the number you pay, with no additions once treatment begins.
Benefits of the Gastric Balloon
What patients treated here can expect:
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No surgery
No incisions, no scars, and nothing permanently altered.
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Quick and reversible
Placed in under thirty minutes, removed after six to twelve months.
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Better metabolic health
Improvement in blood sugar, blood pressure and overall fitness.
Other Bariatric Treatments
Our Surgeons
Gastric Balloon Specialists at Lux Hospitals
The bariatric and gastrointestinal surgeon who places gastric balloons at our HITEC CITY hospital.
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Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi
Senior Consultant: Bariatric & Gastrointestinal Surgery
MBBS, MS, FRCS (UK), DLS (France)
28 years experience
Testimonials
What Patients Say About Their Treatment
Reviews from patients treated for bariatric and gastrointestinal conditions at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad.
From the Blog
Latest Health Articles by Lux
Written by Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi on weight-loss procedures and metabolic health.
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Best Surgeon for Metabolic Surgery in Hyderabad: What to Look For
Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi
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Best Metabolic Surgery in Hyderabad
Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi
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Laparoscopic Liver Cyst Surgery: Benefits & Recovery
Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi
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Impact of Gastric Band Surgery on Diabetes and Heart Health
Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi
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Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: Benefits, Procedure & Recovery
Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi
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Managing Diverticulitis for Better Gut Health
Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the gastric balloon, its results, and what the procedure costs at Lux Hospitals.
What is gastric balloon surgery?
It is a non-surgical weight-loss procedure in which a soft, inflatable balloon is placed inside the stomach to occupy space, so you feel full after eating much less. It is placed endoscopically or swallowed as a capsule, stays for six to twelve months, and is then removed. Nothing is cut, stapled or permanently altered.
Who is eligible for a gastric balloon?
It is generally recommended for people with a BMI between 27 and 35 with obesity-related conditions, who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise, or who want a temporary and reversible option. It is often used for people whose BMI is below the threshold for bariatric surgery.
How much weight can I lose with a gastric balloon?
Most patients lose 10–15% of their total body weight over six to twelve months, with the majority of that in the first four to six months. This is meaningfully less than surgery achieves: a sleeve gastrectomy typically produces 25–30%, but it asks far less of you in return.
Is the gastric balloon safe?
Yes. It is one of the safest weight-loss interventions available, since there is no incision and no permanent alteration to your anatomy. The common side effects are nausea, vomiting and cramping in the first few days. Rare complications include balloon deflation or migration, which is why scheduled removal matters.
Will I feel sick after the balloon is placed?
Most patients experience nausea, cramping and sometimes vomiting for the first three to five days while the stomach adjusts. This is expected rather than a complication. Anti-sickness and antispasmodic medication is prescribed in advance, and taking it regularly makes the first week considerably easier.
Will the weight come back after the balloon is removed?
It can, and often does in people who treated the balloon as the treatment. The balloon gives you six to twelve months in which eating less is genuinely easier: a window for building different habits. Those who use it that way, with dietitian support, maintain their loss far better.
How is the gastric balloon removed?
A standard endoscopic balloon is removed at a second short endoscopy under sedation, in which it is deflated and withdrawn. A swallowable balloon deflates automatically after its set period and passes naturally through the digestive tract, needing no procedure at all.
Can I have a balloon if I have acid reflux?
Significant reflux, a large hiatal hernia, an untreated ulcer or previous stomach surgery all make a balloon unsuitable: it would worsen reflux considerably. The endoscopy before the procedure exists specifically to identify these.
What is the gastric balloon cost in India?
At Lux Hospitals an endoscopic gastric balloon ranges from about ₹1,60,000 to ₹2,60,000 including placement, the balloon and removal. Swallowable and adjustable balloons cost more. Note that balloons are generally not covered by insurance, since they are classed as non-surgical weight management.
How do I book an appointment for a gastric balloon at Lux Hospitals?
You can book an appointment by calling us, messaging us on WhatsApp, or walking into Lux Hospitals, HITEC CITY.
Still have questions? Call us at 079 6908 4422
Still have questions? Message us on WhatsApp at 079 6908 4444
Book Your Gastric Balloon Consultation in Hyderabad
A non-surgical, reversible weight-loss procedure with dietitian-led support, and a fixed-cost estimate before treatment begins.
Plot No.116, Lumbini Avenue, HITEC CITY, Near IKEA, Hyderabad – 500032