A gastric implant system includes a gastric implant such as a restrictive pouch or a gastric balloon, an anchor passable through the mouth and stomach and further through the stomach wall into engagement with abdominal wall tissue. When the anchor is engaged to abdominal wall tissue, the stomach wall and abdominal wall are brought into contact with one another such that a proximal portion of the anchor extends into the stomach interior while a distal portion of the anchor remains engaged to the abdominal wall. A locking element coupled to the proximal section of the anchor is sued to maintain contact between the stomach wall and abdominal wall. The gastric implant is advanced through the oral cavity into the stomach and is coupled to the anchor.