Could Stomach Balloons Offer Risk-Free Weight Loss Surgery?
The last 30 years have presented a variety of different clinical solutions for combating obesity – gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric band placements included. However despite the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services directive in 2006 which required all Cosmetic Centers to have expert surgeons and equipment, these types of weight loss procedures are still prone to promoting health risks.
Even considering the fact that complication rates have dropped by 2.2% from 12.2% of patients to 10%, and mortality rates have reduced from 0.28% to 0.20% (a 0.08% drop) – these enhancements are not enough when you add to the equation the percentage of people who are willing to undergo these surgeries every single year.
However, hope could be around the corner for slimmers if the ReShape Medical of San Clemente’s dual action balloon system is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Structured to help slimmers who have a BMI above or below eligibility guidelines for gastric bypass and band procedures, or who are considered to be too young (under 18 years old) – the dual action balloon system could easily cater for this overlooked group.
How does it work?
In its current condition, the double-balloon mechanism is inserted down a patient’s throat using thin tubing before being pumped with saline. As these 2 oval sections are inflated, patients will start to feel full and decrease their appetite and lose excess lbs.
More importantly, once dieters reach their weight loss goal, this cosmetic device can easily be deflated and removed from the stomach without being surgically removed.
Currently, this double balloon is planned to perform its first medical trial at the start of March where 30 volunteers across 3 medical centers will be implanted with this balloon mechanism. Should it be found to be safe, this study will be extended to three hundred and fifty patients across ten medical centers and eventually will be shown to the FDA for approval.
Does it work?
It is undisputable that this balloon device could potentially help thousands of slimmers who are either below age of consent or suffer from diabetes, coronary heart disease and severe joint problems to lose those excess lbs, but this double balloon system has got a long way to go before it is recommended.
In 1984, a similar single balloon device was established by Garren-Edwards and was implanted into patients. However, with no backup membrane to protect it, this mechanism was prone to breaking and slipping into the small intestine where it produced dangerous blockages. Consequently, this device was quickly removed from the market.
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