Patient experiences of intragastric balloon treatment: A qualitative study

Intragastric balloon (IGB) treatment is increasingly used as a less invasive option for weight management, yet patients' experiences across the treatment trajectory remain insufficiently described. This qualitative descriptive study explored patients' experiences of IGB treatment. Individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 17 adults who had undergone IGB placement, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants described pre-treatment dissatisfaction with weight and high expectations, early weight loss and perceived improvements in mobility or breathing, adverse effects and intolerance, perceptions of temporary benefit, weight regain, return to previous eating habits, and consideration of alternative treatment options. The findings describe heterogeneous and temporally changing experiences rather than providing an objective evaluation of clinical outcomes. They highlight the importance of understanding IGB treatment from the patient perspective, particularly in relation to expectations, tolerability, and the durability of perceived benefits.