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The intragastric balloon (IGB), a non-invasive temporary method for obesity, can induce weight loss by placing a soft saline-or air-filled balloon in the stomach to reduce gastric capacity and delay gastric emptying. IGB is an option for individuals with obesity who have failed at weight management with diet and exercise or are unwilling to undergo bariatric surgery. Besides, IGB can also be used as a bridging intervention prior to bariatric surgery. IGB has been proven to be effective in inducing weight loss, with a low incidence of serious complications by clinical practice from foreign countries. However, the long-term follow-up for its effects on weight loss and metabolic improvement of IGB need to be verified in the future. The IGB has not been approved for clinical application in China. In this review, we discuss the indications and contraindications of IGB as well as its effects on weight loss and its complications.

Intragastric balloon (IGB) placement under endoscopy is a non-invasive method for weight loss.By placing a space-occupying balloon in the stomach, IGB treatment can achieve better effect of weight loss than medications.Herein we review the development of IGB, its effect on weight loss and the mechanism, and the eligible individuals for IGB treatment.We also examine the high-intensity postoperative management following IGB placement, which is important for maintaining long-term weight loss, and discuss the future development of IGB.The patients should understand that on the basis of ensuring a high safety, the weight-losing effect of IGB can be limited and relies heavily on postoperative management.Patients should make a decision on IGB placement after careful consideration of their own physical, economic, and psychological conditions, lifestyle and the line of work in addition to the indications of IGB.IGB placement combined with high-intensity postoperative management and active interventions of lifestyle and dietary habits help to achieve long-term effect of weight loss and improve obesity-related complications.