Early Experience with Customized, Meal-Triggered Gastric Electrical Stimulation in Obese Patients

BACKGROUND: We report our initial gastric electrical stimulation experience using the abiliti® system for the treatment of obese patients followed for 1 year. METHOD: Between March 2011 and June 2013, 27 obese patients (BMI 30 to 46 kg/m(2)) were enrolled in a prospective open label study and implanted with a gastric stimulator. The patients were provided with nutritional support, and sensor-based behavioral feedback. RESULTS: At 12 months, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) obtained was 49.3 ± 19.2 % with no significant differences between gender or age sub-groups. The %EWL data were segmented into two groups according to BMI 30–40 kg/m(2) patients (obesity grade I and II) and BMI >40 kg/m(2), with the results of weight loss being significantly higher for the lower BMI group (59.1 ± 19.5 vs. 46.7 ± 13.4, respectively, p < 0.01). One subject requested to have his device explanted, and the minor postoperative adverse events were resolved without hospital admission. All patients experienced early satiety and reduced their intake. CONCLUSIONS: After 12 months of follow-up, gastric electrical stimulation treatment appears to be a safe and effective option for weight loss in obese subjects. Long-term follow-up and further studies are warranted.