Gastric balloons are available at bariatric surgery centers, outpatient weight loss clinics, and hospital-based programs across the United States. The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting, meaning you go home the same day. Finding a provider starts with knowing what type of balloon you want, whether you meet the eligibility criteria, and how you plan to pay, since insurance does not currently cover the procedure in the U.S.
Types of Providers That Offer Gastric Balloons
Most gastric balloons are placed by gastroenterologists or bariatric surgeons working in one of three settings: dedicated bariatric clinics, hospital outpatient departments, or freestanding endoscopy centers. Large academic medical centers like Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic have established gastric balloon programs, as do many private weight loss practices in major metro areas. The procedure itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes for endoscopic balloons, and as little as 15 minutes for the newer swallowable version.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) maintains an online directory at asmbs.org where you can search by location, procedure type, or provider name. Every provider listed is a board-certified ASMBS member. This is one of the most reliable starting points if you don’t already have a referral. Your primary care doctor or a local gastroenterologist can also point you toward programs in your area.
Endoscopic vs. Swallowable Balloons
There are two main approaches to placing a gastric balloon, and the type you choose may affect which providers are available to you.
Endoscopic balloons are placed during a brief sedated procedure. A doctor guides the deflated balloon down your throat using a thin scope, then fills it with saline once it’s in your stomach. These balloons stay in place for four to six months and require a second endoscopy for removal. This has been the standard approach for years.
The newer option is the Allurion Swallowable Gastric Balloon, which the FDA approved for adults aged 22 to 65 with a BMI between 30 and 40. Instead of endoscopy, you swallow a capsule attached to a thin catheter during a 15-minute outpatient visit. No surgery, no sedation, no anesthesia. The balloon naturally deflates and passes through your digestive system around four months after placement, so there’s no removal procedure either. Because it doesn’t require endoscopy, some non-surgical weight loss clinics can offer it alongside their existing programs. Not every bariatric center carries this device yet, so you may need to check directly with providers in your area.
Who Qualifies for a Gastric Balloon
In the United States, the standard requirement is a BMI of 30 or higher. In Europe, the threshold is slightly lower at 27. You also need to have tried other weight loss methods (diet, lifestyle changes, or medications) without lasting success. People with class III obesity who technically qualify for bariatric surgery sometimes choose the balloon instead because of its lower risk profile.
Several conditions will rule you out. Absolute disqualifiers include prior stomach surgery, blood clotting disorders, severe liver disease, active gastrointestinal bleeding, pregnancy or plans to become pregnant, and substance use disorders. A large hiatal hernia (5 cm or bigger) is also a firm no for the Orbera balloon. Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, acid reflux with esophageal damage, and regular use of anti-inflammatory painkillers may also make the procedure inadvisable depending on severity.
During your initial consultation, the doctor typically performs an endoscopic exam of your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine to check for ulcers, hernias, or other issues that could make the balloon unsafe. This screening step is a standard part of the process at most programs.
What It Costs Without Insurance
Gastric balloons are not covered by insurance in the United States. The average out-of-pocket cost ranges from $6,000 to $9,000. That price typically includes the balloon insertion, removal (for endoscopic types), six months of follow-up appointments, and check-ins with a weight loss support team over the course of a year. Some clinics bundle nutritional counseling and behavioral coaching into the total cost, while others charge separately for those services.
Most providers offer financing through third-party medical credit companies like CareCredit, which let you spread payments over months or years. Some clinics also have their own in-house payment plans. When comparing prices between clinics, make sure you’re looking at the full program cost, not just the procedure fee, since the follow-up support is a significant part of what makes the balloon effective long-term.
How Much Weight You Can Expect to Lose
The balloon works by taking up space in your stomach, which helps you feel full sooner and eat less. But it’s designed as a training tool, not a permanent fix. During the four to six months the balloon is in place, the goal is to retrain your sense of hunger and fullness and build healthier eating habits that stick after the device comes out.
Programs that include the swallowable balloon track patients through 12 months after the balloon passes, for a total program length of about 16 months. These programs typically combine the balloon with remote monitoring through a connected scale and app, regular in-person visits every two weeks while the balloon is in place, and monthly follow-ups afterward. Patients are encouraged to maintain a balanced, normal-calorie diet during the maintenance phase to prevent regain.
Results vary widely based on how closely you follow the accompanying nutrition and lifestyle program. The balloon alone produces moderate weight loss, but the behavioral changes it helps you develop are what determine whether that loss lasts.
Getting a Gastric Balloon Abroad
Lower prices in countries like Mexico, Turkey, and parts of Eastern Europe attract some patients to seek the procedure internationally. While the cost savings can be significant, the ASMBS flags several serious concerns with this approach.
The biggest issue is follow-up care. A gastric balloon program works best with regular check-ins over many months. If your provider is in another country, routine follow-up and continuity of care with the same team become impractical. If complications arise after you’ve returned home, local doctors may be unfamiliar with the specific device used or the protocols of the facility that placed it.
Regulatory standards also differ. Many countries that serve as popular medical tourism destinations don’t have an equivalent to the FDA, meaning the devices and supplies used may not meet the same safety thresholds. Some international clinics offer balloon types or techniques that haven’t been rigorously tested in clinical trials. The ASMBS notes that it can be difficult to tell the difference between legitimate innovation and unproven treatments marketed to international patients. Additionally, extended travel shortly after any procedure involving sedation raises the risk of blood clots.
If you do consider going abroad, look for facilities accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), which provides an external quality benchmark. More than 250 facilities across 36 countries currently hold JCI accreditation. Even so, having a local gastroenterologist lined up at home for follow-up care is essential.
How to Start the Process
The most straightforward path is to search the ASMBS provider directory for bariatric specialists near you, or call the bariatrics department at a major hospital system in your area. Many programs offer free informational sessions or phone consultations before you commit to anything. During that first conversation, ask what’s included in the total program price, which balloon device they use, and what the follow-up schedule looks like. If you’re considering the swallowable balloon specifically, confirm that the clinic carries the Allurion system, since availability varies by location.