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VIDEO: Intragastric balloon device can be a good choice for patients not ready for bariatric surgery
LOS ANGELES — An intragastric balloon device can intensify weight reduction therapies beyond behavioral modifications and pharmacotherapy without proceeding all the way to bariatric surgery, said Jaime Ponce, MD, FACS, past president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Ponce was principal investigator for the REDUCE Pivotal Trial of the ReShape Duo Intragastric Balloon System (ReShape Medical). Patients who used the endoscopically inserted device in addition to diet and exercise saw weight reductions 2.3 times greater than those who relied on lifestyle modifications alone. Although patients with the device may develop nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, most consider these symptoms to be mild or moderate, lasting only for about 3 days, according to Ponce.