| Systemic tolerance studies revealed no relevant signs of toxicity after repeated intragastric administration. |
| More data on benefits, harm, and costeffectiveness are required before the intragastric balloon can be compared with other short-term weight loss interventions, including low-calorie diets. |
| The combination of potential risks and little benefit is the main reason there is no intragastric balloon on the market in the United States. |
| The intragastric balloon, filled with liquid and left in the stomach for up to six months, is not approved for use in the United States, though it's available in Europe, South America and other parts of the world. |
| It can be caused by increased intragastric pressure or a transient or sustained decrease in the sphincter tone itself. |
| The intragastric balloon may be useful when obesity is not severe enough to justify bariatric surgery, or when patients refuse surgery. |
