Non-Surgical Procedure Doubles Weight Loss by Making You Feel Full! Here's How It Works

A new non-invasive weight loss procedure has just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, called the ORBERA Intragastric Balloon procedure. While it is still relatively new to the United States, doctors believe that the balloon device has the potential to help obese patients lose double or even triple their weight and maintain healthy eating habits. 

One of the best aspects of ORBERA is that it is a non-invasive procedure. CBS 6 News explains that the total ORBERA procedure only takes around 20-30 minutes and is an out-patient procedure, meaning the patient can go home on the same day.

To begin the ORBERA weight loss program, patients will have to undergo a non-surgical procedure, in which a balloon is placed into the stomach through the mouth and throat. As seen on the video below, the weight loss device is not inflated at first. 

Through an endoscopy, a deflated version of the device passes through the digestive tract. When it reaches the stomach the device is then inflated with saline, until it is about the size of a grapefruit, reports MPR. 

Ideally, since the balloon takes up space in the stomach, patients will feel full faster, resulting in eventual weight loss. However, the ORBERA balloon is just part one of a two-part weight loss process. 

After six months, the balloon is removed from the stomach, so that patients can learn to maintain a healthy diet regimen without help from the device. In a press release, the creator of ORBERA explained that a support program, named the ORBERATM Managed Weight Loss System team, is available for every patient, after the balloon is placed. 

The weight loss team is tailored to the patient's individual needs and includes a dietician, psychologist, and exercise physiologist. When the balloon is taken out of the stomach, the team continues to help the patient lose and maintain their weight loss for an additional 6 months, states CBS 6 News. 

According to the balloon's maker: "The program is designed to help the patient develop sustainable, healthy habits that will help keep weight off over time."

Todd Newton, CEO of Apollo Endosurgery, explains on Becker's that over 220,000 ORBERA balloons have been distributed throughout 80 countries so far. In addition, 230 papers have documented and published the clinical results of the device, making the ORBERA device's effectivity rate fully transparent to the public.