Inland Empire Weight Loss Surgeons Now Offering Obalon Swallowable Gastric Balloon

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Nov. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- It's well-known that being overweight can increase risk for serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. However, for many people battling obesity, dropping pounds through diet and exercise is easier said than done.

While bariatric surgery is an excellent option for some, not everyone is a good candidate, and not everyone needs the level of weight loss possible with bariatric surgery. That's why Surgical Arts of the Inland Empire's weight loss surgery doctors in Rancho Cucamonga are excited to offer the Obalon Balloon System.

Obalon is a swallowable gastric balloon system that occupies space in the stomach, reducing the amount a patient can eat and helping them feel full faster. The first FDA approved device of its kind, Obalon does not require surgery or anesthesia to place. Patients experience an immediate reduction in the amount they can eat and typically start losing weight within days.

"I see many patients who are frustrated that they have done everything 'right'—count Calories, more exercise, less processed food—but still have trouble losing weight. Many of these patients are in a 'no-man's land' where their weight puts them at risk for health problems, but they are not yet to the point at which bariatric surgery is necessary. For such patients, Obalon can be a great fit," states Dr. Irene Tower, the surgeon who provides Obalon treatment at Surgical Arts. As a cosmetic surgeon, she specializes in post-weight loss body contouring, allowing patients who want to reshape their body to enjoy continuous care throughout their weight loss journey.

How the Obalon Balloon System works

Obalon involves three medical-grade balloons. During treatment, patients swallow a pellet-sized, uninflated balloon, which is attached to a long, thin tube. The doctor inflates the balloon and detaches the tube. Dr. Tower says that balloon placement takes about 15 minutes, and most patients return to normal activity immediately. She notes, "Patients are thrilled that they can come by on their lunch break, receive the Obalon, and immediately start eating less. Nobody has to know they had a weight loss procedure; it is easy to keep it totally private."

Patients typically return twice over the course of two to three months to swallow a total of three balloons. Dr. Tower says this multi-step process is more comfortable for a patient vs. a single large balloon, as it gives the patient's stomach time to adjust gradually. Obalon offers several additional advantages over other balloon weight loss options, which must be placed into the stomach surgically:

• Reduced anesthesia risk. No anesthesia is needed for placement, and only light sedation is needed for the quick removal procedure.
• Lighter, more comfortable device. Obalon is filled with air, rather than a saline solution, which can feel heavy in the stomach.
• Greater flexibility. Patients who are successfully losing weight with one or two balloons can choose not to have additional balloons placed.

Dr. Tower says that while the Obalon is a temporary procedure—the balloons are removed endoscopically during an in-office procedure after about 6 months—the weight loss benefits tend to last, as patients relearn healthy portion control while they lose weight with Obalon. She cites a clinical study from Obalon that found patients on average kept off 89% of the weight they lost with Obalon.

Obalon is intended for moderately overweight patients who have not had success through traditional weight loss methods and are committed to long-term lifestyle changes.To learn more about Obalon, contact Surgical Arts at 909-579-3111 or visit www.inlandweightloss.com.

About Surgical Arts of Inland Empire: Surgical Arts of Inland Empire is a fully accredited outpatient surgical center offering bariatric surgery and weight loss services, and the home of Inland Cosmetic Surgery, a comprehensive aesthetic services practice serving patients in Rancho Cucamonga and surrounding areas in Southern California. For more information about Inland Cosmetic Surgery, visit www.inlandcosmetic.com. Learn more about Surgical Arts weight loss surgery services at www.inlandweightloss.com.

Media Contact: Dr. Jacob Haiavy, (909) 939-6626

SOURCE Inland Cosmetic Surgery