Dr. Shawn Garber, with the New York Bariatric Group, is considered one of the most experienced doctors in gastric balloon placement weight loss in the United States, being among the first to offer the non-surgical procedure following its August 2015 approval by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration, a press release announced.
He recently spoke at ObesityWeek 2015 about the procedure, reporting dramatic weight loss results.
The technique consists of the nonsurgical insertion of the ReShape balloon, a silicone intragastric balloon, in a deflated state into the patient’s stomach. The belly balloon, as it is also referred to, is then inflated with sterile saline solution. The balloon stays in the stomach for a maximum of six months, helping the patient to more quickly feel full during meals and continue to feel satisfied afterward.
The procedure also includes a 12-month ReShape program, where a team of professionals support patients’ weight-loss efforts through personalized diets to improve eating habits, exercise plans, and a one-on-one motivational program that includes individual goal-setting and tracking meetings.
Dr. Garber said of the procedure: “The media attention has really helped to get the word out regarding this new advancement in weight loss. … Patients are losing significant weight and learning to keep the weight off. Additionally, patients who may have been hesitant to have surgery or simply weren’t candidates for surgery now have a non-surgical weight loss option.”
He is currently training physicians across the U.S. in the procedure.
The New York Bariatric Group includes six surgeons with expertise in different types of bariatric procedures, such as LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Band, revision surgery, gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, and the surgery-alternative ReShape Managed Weight Loss Program. More information is available at stopobesityforlife.com and bellyballoon.com, or by calling 800-633-8446.
Dr. Garber says that the New York group is able to treat patients across the U.S., with post-procedure nutrition and fitness counseling available online.
