The Use of an Improved Intragastric Balloon Technique to Reduce Weight in Pre-obese Patients—Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND: In this study, a new safer and faster intragastric balloon procedure was also employed to treat pre-obese patients (body mass index (BMI) < 30). METHODS: From June 2006 to June 2009, 20 such patients were submitted to the Silimed Gastric Balloon treatment, as a part of a multidisciplinary program involving clinical, psychological, and behavioral approaches. For the 16 patients who had completed the 5–6-month treatment, the initial mean weight and mean BMI were 74 kg and 27.5 kg/m(2), respectively. RESULTS: After the treatment, the mean weight and BMI values decreased significantly to 65.9 kg and 24.5 kg/m(2), respectively. There were only minor complications—nausea and vomiting—with the exception of two cases of spontaneous deflation of the devices which were successfully removed by gastric endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, preliminary data suggest that this new intragastric balloon procedure might also be a safe and effective treatment for weight loss in pre-obese patients.