Management of Obesity with the New Intragastric Balloon

Background: The introduction of an endoscopically-placed Bariatric Intragastrric Balloon (BIB) provided the opportunity to reexamine weight reduction methods and also study potential weight loss without resorting to surgical intervention. Methods: 10 severely obese patients with mean age 33 years and mean body mass index 39, underwent BIB placement, 7 as a sole weight reduction procedure and 3 requiring weight reduction before repair of large incisional hernias. All patients were followed at 2-week intervals by a nurse practitioner and dietitian for 6 months. Results: Mean weight loss was 18.6 kg (range 6.6-40.0), equivalent to 40% excess weight loss (EWL), range 10-81%. EWL was 54% (29-81%) in those patients who had two balloons placed, who lost an average of 30.3 kg (24.0-40.0 kg). In the patients who had only one balloon placed, mean weight loss was 10.4 kg (8.8-12.5), equal to an EWL of 19% (10-37%). Conclusion:These results lead us to consider BIB placement as a successful short-term measure for weight loss or for patients requiring at least weight loss before other surgery.