A man with severe heart problems caused by obesity experienced remarkable improvement after doctors placed a special balloon in his stomach to help him eat less. Combined with weight-loss medication and lifestyle support, he lost almost half his body weight and was able to stop using oxygen and heart medications. This case shows that a non-surgical stomach balloon procedure, when used alongside other treatments, might help people with serious weight-related heart conditions who cannot have traditional weight-loss surgery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a balloon placed inside the stomach could help a person with severe heart failure caused by obesity lose weight and improve their heart health
  • Who participated: One adult patient with severe obesity, heart failure, and cognitive delays who was not a candidate for traditional weight-loss surgery
  • Key finding: The patient lost 48.9% of his total body weight and completely stopped needing oxygen support and heart medications after receiving the stomach balloon combined with weight-loss medication and supervised living support
  • What it means for you: This case suggests that stomach balloons combined with medication and lifestyle changes may help people with serious weight-related heart problems, though this is based on one patient’s experience and more research is needed to confirm these results work for others

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors documented the detailed medical story of one specific patient. The patient had a special balloon placed inside his stomach through his mouth (without surgery) to reduce how much food he could eat. At the same time, he received GLP-1 medication, which is a drug that helps people feel full faster and eat less. He also lived in a supervised group home where he received support for healthy eating and lifestyle changes.

The doctors tracked his progress over time, measuring his weight loss, his heart function, and whether he still needed oxygen or heart medications. They documented all the changes that happened as a result of these combined treatments working together.

This research approach is important because it shows what’s possible when multiple treatments work together. Rather than trying just one thing, the doctors combined three approaches: the physical stomach balloon, medication to reduce appetite, and lifestyle support. This helps us understand how different treatments might work better when used as a team.

This is a single case report, which means it describes one person’s experience rather than comparing many patients. While the results are impressive, we cannot be certain these same results would happen for other people. Case reports are useful for showing that something is possible, but larger studies with many patients are needed to prove the treatment works reliably for most people. The patient’s specific situation (including his cognitive delays and living situation) may have contributed to his success in ways that might not apply to everyone.

What the Results Show

The patient experienced complete resolution of his heart failure symptoms after receiving the stomach balloon treatment combined with weight-loss medication and supervised living support. He lost 48.9% of his total body weight, which is nearly half of what he weighed before treatment started.

Most importantly, he was able to stop using oxygen completely and discontinue his loop diuretics, which are powerful medications that help remove excess fluid from the body in heart failure patients. These medications are typically essential for people with his condition, so being able to stop them suggests his heart function improved significantly.

The combination of the three treatments—the physical stomach balloon, GLP-1 medication, and structured lifestyle support—appeared to work together to create this dramatic improvement. The doctors believe the weight loss itself was the key factor that allowed his heart to function better.

Beyond the heart improvements, the patient’s overall health appeared to improve with the weight loss. The case suggests that addressing obesity as a root cause of his heart problems was more effective than just treating the heart symptoms with medications. The supervised group living environment likely played an important role by providing consistent support for healthy eating and lifestyle choices, which may have been especially important given the patient’s cognitive delays.

This case adds to growing evidence that obesity is an under-recognized cause of a specific type of heart failure called ‘heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.’ Previous research has shown that weight loss can improve this condition, but this case is notable because it shows that a non-surgical stomach balloon procedure can achieve significant weight loss in someone who cannot have traditional weight-loss surgery. Most previous research on stomach balloons focused on weight loss alone, rather than their potential to improve serious heart conditions.

This is a single case report describing one person, so we cannot know if these results would happen for other patients. The patient had unique circumstances including cognitive delays and access to supervised group living, which may have contributed to his success in ways that might not apply to everyone. We don’t know how long the weight loss and heart improvements will last after the balloon is removed. The case doesn’t tell us whether this approach would work for people without cognitive delays or without access to supervised living support. Larger studies comparing many patients would be needed to determine if this treatment works reliably for most people with obesity-related heart failure.

The Bottom Line

Based on this single case, stomach balloons combined with weight-loss medication and lifestyle support may be worth considering for people with severe obesity-related heart failure who cannot have traditional weight-loss surgery. However, this recommendation is based on one patient’s experience, so discuss with your doctor whether this approach might be appropriate for your specific situation. The evidence is preliminary and more research is needed.

This case is most relevant to people with severe obesity who have developed heart failure and are not candidates for traditional weight-loss surgery. It may also interest people with obesity-related heart problems who want to explore non-surgical options. Healthcare providers treating obesity and heart disease should be aware of this potential treatment approach. However, this case does not apply to people with mild obesity or those whose heart problems are not related to weight.

In this case, significant improvements in heart function occurred within the timeframe of the weight loss, but we don’t know the exact timeline. Typically, people might expect to see health improvements within weeks to months as weight loss occurs, but individual results vary. The long-term durability of these improvements after the balloon is removed remains unknown.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If considering this treatment, track weekly weight loss percentage, daily food intake volume, and weekly heart-related symptoms (shortness of breath, swelling, fatigue) on a scale of 1-10 to monitor progress objectively
  • Work with your healthcare team to set specific daily eating goals that align with the stomach balloon’s reduced capacity, log meals to stay accountable, and schedule regular check-ins to adjust your weight-loss medication as needed
  • Establish a long-term tracking system that monitors weight trends monthly, heart function markers (if available through your doctor), medication changes, and symptom improvements over 6-12 months to assess whether combined treatment benefits persist

This case report describes one patient’s experience and should not be considered proof that stomach balloon treatment will work for everyone with obesity-related heart failure. Individual results vary significantly based on many factors including overall health, ability to follow lifestyle changes, and access to support systems. Before considering any weight-loss procedure or medication, consult with your doctor or cardiologist to discuss whether this approach is appropriate for your specific medical situation. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health.