Abstract: A method for controlling the body weight of a patient employs a percutaneous intragastric balloon catheter (10). The method comprises the first steps of inserting a percutaneous intragastric balloon catheter (10) into the stomach of the patient through a gastrostomy tract. The intragastric balloon catheter (10), in turn, comprises elongated shaft means (11) having first (12) and second (13) ends, a first inflatable balloon (14) carried proximal to the first end; a second inflatable balloon (15) carried proximal to the first inflatable balloon, the second balloon having a lesser inflated volume than the first balloon; first and second inflation lumens (18, 20); first and second inflation ports (22, 23) communicating respectively with the first and second inflation lumens and the first and second balloons, which ports are carried by the second end (13); a drainage lumen (16) passing between said first and second ends.