Are Stomach Balloons The Future Of Weight Loss Surgery?

The last 20+ years have presented a number of different cosmetic methods for combating obesity - gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric band placements included. Yet despite the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services directive in 2006 which enforced the ruling that all Cosmetic Centers to have expert staff and equipment, these methods of cosmetic surgeries are still incredibly risky.

Even considering the fact that complication rates have dropped by 2.2% from 12.2% of patients to 10%, and the 30 day mortality rate has shrunk from 0.28% to 0.20% (a 0.08% drop) - these enhancements are not enough when you factor in the thousands of individuals who signup for these surgeries every single year...

Yet, this could soon all be changing if the ReShape's dual balloon design is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Designed to help slimmer's who are either side of the required settings for gastric bypass and band placement surgeries, or who are under 18; the double-balloon mechanism could easily cater for this ignored group.

In its current condition, the dual balloon system is inserted into a slimmer's throat using thin tubing before being inflated with saline. As these 2 oval sections are filled, patients will begin to feel full and will quickly be able to reduce their meal sizes.

More excitingly, once patients reach their ideal weight loss, this balloon device can easily by deflated and removed from the stomach without being cosmetically removed.

As we speak, this device is scheduled to undergo its first medical study at the start of April where 30 volunteers across three cosmetic centers will be equipped with this device. Should it be found to be safe, this research will be extended to 350 consumers across 10 centers and eventually will be presented to the Food and Drug Administration for permission to be used.

Is it dangerous?

It is unignorable that this balloon device could essentially help thousands of dieters who are either below age of consent or suffer from diabetes, coronary heart disease and severe joint problems to lose weight, but this dual action balloon has got a long way to go before it is recommended.

26 years ago a similar single balloon device was produced by Garren-Edwards and was implanted into patients. However, with no backup membrane to protect it from punctures, this balloon was prone to leaking and entering into the small intestine where it caused serious blockages. Consequently, this device was quickly withdrawn from the market.