Managing weight is one of the most common health goals, yet many Australians find it difficult to achieve long-term success through diet and exercise alone. If you’re exploring non-surgical ways to support your weight loss journey, the Spatz Balloon may be worth considering.
As the only adjustable intragastric balloon currently available, Spatz3 offers a customisable and extended approach to weight loss, with support from healthcare professionals throughout the process. Available at the Reflux & Swallowing Center, this device is placed in the stomach to reduce appetite and portion sizes, helping patients achieve healthier outcomes with medical guidance.
This guide will walk you through what the Spatz Balloon is, how it works, who it’s for, what to expect before and after the procedure, and the key differences between Spatz3 and other weight loss balloon options.
What Is the Spatz Balloon?
The Spatz Balloon is a soft, saline-filled device that is placed in the stomach for up to 12 months. It’s designed to help reduce hunger by taking up space in the stomach, making you feel full with less food. This naturally supports smaller portions, less snacking, and better control over calorie intake.
What makes Spatz3 unique is its adjustability. During the treatment period, the balloon’s volume can be increased to boost results or decreased to improve comfort. This flexibility helps patients achieve better outcomes and manage any side effects more effectively than with non-adjustable options.
The balloon is inserted using gastroscopy under sedation, without the need for incisions or hospital admission.
Learn more about the Spatz3 adjustable balloon on our service page.
How Does the Spatz Balloon Help with Weight Loss?
The Spatz Balloon works by:
- Creating a feeling of fullness earlier during meals.
- Occupying space in the stomach to reduce overall food intake.
- Slowing digestion, which prolongs the sensation of satiety.
- Supporting behavioural and dietary changes.
- Allowing adjustments during treatment to suit individual needs.
Because the balloon reduces appetite and supports more mindful eating, it creates the right environment for building healthier habits. When paired with medical and dietary support, this can result in sustainable weight loss.
Unlike fixed-volume balloons, such as the Orbera gastric balloon, Spatz3’s adjustability gives clinicians more control to personalise your journey and respond to your progress.
Who Is the Spatz Balloon Suitable For?
Spatz3 may be recommended for adults who:
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 27 and 40
- Want a non-surgical, reversible weight loss solution
- Are motivated to commit to dietary and lifestyle changes
- Have struggled with weight loss through conventional methods
- Are medically fit for gastroscopy and sedation
This option is particularly helpful for those who are not suitable for or do not wish to undergo bariatric surgery.
To learn more about the clinic’s patient care philosophy and service approach, visit our about us page.
What to Expect Before, During and After Placement
Before the Procedure
The journey begins with an in-depth consultation and medical evaluation. If you’re a suitable candidate for the balloon, your clinician will explain the process in detail and provide instructions, which may include following a liquid or soft diet in the 48 hours leading up to your procedure.
During the Procedure
The Spatz Balloon is inserted during a gastroscopy under sedation. A deflated balloon is passed through the mouth and positioned in the stomach, where it is then filled with sterile saline. The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes, and most patients return home the same day.
After the Procedure
It is normal to experience some nausea, cramping, bloating or fatigue in the first few days. These side effects usually settle as your body adjusts to the balloon.
You’ll begin on a liquid diet, followed by a gradual reintroduction of soft and solid foods under the guidance of your healthcare team. Ongoing support is provided throughout the 12-month program, helping you maintain progress and manage any issues that arise.
At around three to four months, the balloon may be adjusted to improve comfort or stimulate continued weight loss, depending on your individual response.
Medical and Nutritional Support Throughout the Program
Success with the Spatz Balloon relies not only on the device itself but on the support system that accompanies it.
At the Reflux & Swallowing Center, patients receive:
- Ongoing medical supervision throughout the 12-month program
- Access to dietary support and education
- Guidance to help build and sustain healthier habits
- Follow-up care during and after balloon removal
This structured approach helps patients build the confidence and knowledge to maintain results well beyond the duration of the balloon’s placement.
Key Benefits of the Spatz Balloon
The Spatz Balloon offers several key advantages compared to other intragastric balloons and non-surgical treatments.
1. Non-surgical and temporary
The balloon is placed via gastroscopy under sedation, with no incisions, no hospital stay, and no permanent alterations to your body.
2. Longer treatment period
Spatz3 can remain in the stomach for up to 12 months, giving you more time to achieve meaningful progress and stabilise healthier habits.
3. Adjustable volume
The ability to increase or decrease balloon volume allows clinicians to fine-tune treatment as needed. This improves comfort and can help overcome weight loss plateaus.
4. Professional support
Patients benefit from continuous guidance, which includes medical monitoring and tailored nutritional advice.
5. Behavioural reinforcement
By feeling full sooner and eating smaller meals, patients begin to change how they think about food, which lays the foundation for lasting change.
Are There Any Risks?
Like all medical procedures, the Spatz Balloon carries some potential risks and side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort or cramping
- Reflux or bloating, especially in the first few days
These symptoms are generally short-lived and can be managed with medication and dietary adjustments.
Less common complications may include:
- Balloon deflation or migration
- Intolerance requiring early removal
- Infection or injury during gastroscopy (rare)
The adjustable nature of the Spatz Balloon allows your care team to make changes to balloon volume if needed to help reduce discomfort and improve results.
More information about preparation, risks, and recovery is available on our patient FAQs page.
How Does the Spatz Balloon Compare to Other Options?
While other intragastric balloons can also support weight loss, the Spatz Balloon stands out in two important ways:
- It stays in the stomach for up to 12 months, compared to 6 months with many other balloons
- It is adjustable, meaning your care team can modify the balloon’s volume as needed during treatment
This makes Spatz3 a more flexible and extended option for people who want personalised, non-surgical weight loss support.
Considering the Spatz Balloon?
The Spatz3 adjustable intragastric balloon is available at the Reflux & Swallowing Center. It offers an extended, adjustable alternative to traditional gastric balloons and supports long-term weight loss with medical and dietary guidance.
The procedure is done under sedation, and most patients are able to return home on the same day. Balloon adjustments may be made part-way through treatment to support comfort or improve progress.
Throughout the program, you’ll receive expert support to help you build healthier habits, improve eating behaviours, and work towards long-term wellbeing.
Discover whether the Spatz Balloon is right for your health journey.
Book a consultation with our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Spatz Balloon?
The Spatz Balloon is an adjustable intragastric balloon that helps reduce hunger and support portion control. It is inserted through the mouth under sedation and stays in the stomach for up to 12 months.
How does the Spatz Balloon work?
The balloon partially fills the stomach, helping you feel full sooner and encouraging smaller meals. Its volume can be adjusted during treatment to improve comfort or help overcome weight loss plateaus.
Who is a good candidate for the Spatz Balloon?
People with a BMI between 27 and 40 who are motivated to make lifestyle changes and are medically eligible for gastroscopy under sedation may be suitable candidates.
Is the procedure painful?
No. The balloon is placed and removed under sedation using a gastroscope. Some discomfort may occur after placement, but this usually resolves within a few days.
How is Spatz different from other balloons like Orbera?
Unlike Orbera, which is non-adjustable and remains in the stomach for six months, the Spatz Balloon can be adjusted and is designed to stay in place for up to 12 months.
Can the balloon be removed early?
Yes. If required due to discomfort or other concerns, the balloon can be removed at any time using a similar gastroscopy procedure.
What kind of support will I receive during treatment?
Patients receive medical and dietary support throughout the 12-month program, including check-ups, nutritional advice, and assistance with behavioural change.
