Abstract: A method includes expanding a first balloon distally of a gastro-esophageal junction, and contacting the first balloon to a proximal portion of a stomach. The method can be used for abdominal surgery, such as, for example, bariatic surgery (e.g., gastric bypass surgery), anti-reflux surgery (e.g., fundoplication), and other esophageal-related surgeries (e.g., Heller myotomy, hiatal hernia repair, and paraesophageal hernia repair).