Intragastric balloon as an alternative restrictive procedure for morbid obesity

Abstract

This study was done to evaluate the intragastric balloon
Greek population suffering from the morbid obesity. From
December 2003 to February 2006, 240 individuals with
body mass index [BMI] of 44.1�8kg/m2, initial excess
weight [EW] of 62.8�24.9 and mean %EW of 48.5�9.3, were
enrolled in a 6-m using weight reduction programme,
intragastric balloon.
Balloon placement was uneventful. There were 7 patiens
who stopped treatment earlier [2 to proceed for obesity surgery,
2 after achieving their desired body weight and 3 because
of continuous vomiting]. Another 2 cases experienced
a sudden balloon disruption and rejection, one through
anus and one by vomiting.
The remaining 231 patients had a BMI reduction
38.4�8.3 kg/m2, that means an %EW reduction of 28.5�19.4.
This result led us to conclude that the intragastric balloon
is a safe and effective procedure for weight loss in the case
of patients strongly motivated to lose weight.