Gastric Band and Gastric Balloon in Huntsville, AL
Other Weight Loss Procedures
Gastric balloon and gastric banding are both non-surgical or less invasive options for patients who aren't ready for sleeve or bypass, or who don't qualify yet. Both produce less weight loss than sleeve or bypass and require ongoing commitment to diet and follow-up to keep results. We're upfront that gastric sleeve is the right choice for most of our patients — these two procedures are here for the smaller number of patients they genuinely fit.
Gastric Balloon
The gastric balloon is a non-surgical option. A soft silicone balloon is placed in the stomach through an endoscope, with no incisions, then filled with fluid to take up roughly a third of the stomach's space. It has to come out after a maximum of six months, also done endoscopically.
Starting at $5,935, it costs less than surgery and involves less recovery time, but it also produces less weight loss, and results are temporary by design. The balloon works best as a structured start to new habits during the six months it's in place — patients who don't carry those habits forward after removal often see some of the weight return. We pair the balloon with a coaching program to give it the best chance of lasting.
Gastric Banding
Gastric banding places an adjustable silicone band around the upper stomach, creating a small pouch above the band. The band can be tightened or loosened over time through a port placed under the skin, adjusted in the office without additional surgery.
Weight loss with the band is slower than with sleeve or bypass, typically unfolding over three to four years rather than the first year or two. There's no cutting or stapling of the stomach and no malabsorption, which means a lower risk of certain nutritional deficiencies — but it also means the band depends heavily on ongoing adjustments and follow-up to work well. Some patients eventually have the band removed or converted to sleeve or bypass if it isn't producing enough weight loss over time.
Why We Recommend Sleeve for Most Patients
About 90 to 95% of our patients have a gastric sleeve, not a balloon or a band. Sleeve produces more weight loss, produces it faster, and the long-term data on keeping it off is stronger than what we see with either of these two options. Balloon and banding remain real, appropriate choices for specific situations — a lower BMI, a patient not ready for a permanent surgical change, or a bridge toward eventually qualifying for sleeve or bypass. We'll talk through your specific situation and tell you which option fits, rather than steering everyone toward the same answer.