Belly Balloon May Lead to New Weight Loss Treatment
Weight loss surgery has been a boon to people who suffer from morbid obesity, but millions of Americans who struggle with their weight can’t qualify for bariatric surgery because they essentially aren’t big enough. Now, a new clinical trial is about to get underway for a medical device that may offer hope to people who are overweight or obese – and that doesn’t require any surgery.
The BioEnterics® Intragastric Balloon System, or BIB, will be the subject of a new study to begin soon in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
With the BIB system, a surgeon inserts a silicone balloon into the patient’s stomach through the patient’s mouth using an endoscope. Similar to a breast implant procedure, the balloon is then inflated with saline using a removable tube. The inflated balloon fills up most of the stomach and limits the amount of food the patient can eat. But, unlike laparoscopic weight loss surgery procedures, the BIB procedure requires only a local anesthetic.
We recently spoke with Dr. Adam Smith, head surgeon at Fort-Worth Lap-Band, who is one of the doctors selected to participate in the clinical trial: During the clinical trial, the BIB device will be tested on a group of potential weight loss surgery patients in the North Texas area. Half of the participants will be chosen at random to receive the BIB and the other half will not receive the implant. Both groups will eat identical low-calorie diets and attend regular sessions with dietitians, counselors. At the end of the study, doctors will weigh the members of each group to note any differences in weight loss. We will be sure to keep you posted on the results.
September 24th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Are you looking for volunteers for the new Weight Loss Surgery BIB? If so, I would be very interested. Thank you.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:22 am
i am 200lbs and my bmi is over 30. i wish more than anything in the world that i could be one of your volunteers for the new weight loss procedure bib. oh i forgot to address my height 5’5. Please feel free to email me regarding this matter, i am very interested after trying several diets and the prescription adipex which worked for a short period of time,besides that its not good for you. I’m sure this procedure will work wonders for people and change their lives and make them live a much happier life instead of being depressed about their weight,and also lead them to eat much healthier in the future after their weight loss success. Thanks a lot for listening.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
looking for a weightloss procedure that I can volunteer for. Iam 5’2″ and weight 287. My BMI is 52.5. I need to loose for my health. My insurance will not cover any procedure concerning weight loss. It is self funded by my employer and they think anyone fat is lazy. I need help and would love to volunteer.
May 6th, 2010 at 8:42 am
If you need a patient in the New York area I am more than willing – I have been through Weight Watchers and many other programs that last just a short time. I am 5’5 and weigh about 200lbs my BMI is in the overweight zone and I know how unhealthy that is – my blood pressure is high and I am on antidepressents that I know would be solved if I could just lose 50lbs. Thnak you for listening…
May 6th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
i am like many of this other people looking to loose weight. i am a anxiety eater and fairly active @ 5’4 and 170 lbs is getting a little hard to keep up with the kids. i am very interested in been part of the volunteer group.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:50 am
I am willing to be part of the clinical trial for the belly balloon if I qualify. I am 5’7 and weigh 170 pounds. I want to be in a normal weight range so that I can be as healthy as possible. Right now I have no energy and always feel bad. I feel that losing this weight would give me my vitality back. Please consider me for this trial. Thank you.
May 8th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
(HELP)I’m living in Metro Atlanta, I’m a female, 52 yrs, 5’9 when last weighed 252-lbs and not on any Rx medication. I don’t even want to think about how much money I’ve spent with various weight programs including joining gyms (and going faithly)as well as shakes only diets just in the last 5 yrs. Weight has been a life long battle since 6th grade, but as I get older I’m clearly losing the battle. To be honest, I’ve lost hope of ever being a healthy weight. Before I leave this earth I would LOVE the oppty, to just be happy, and be at healthy weight. I Have been told it’s to late for me because of my age, it would next to impossible for me to lose that amount of weight. Is there a study that includes women my age who have been successful with their wt. loss. If not I’d love to volunteer to be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd……..Call me I’m more then ready.
May 11th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
I would like to volunteer for any clinical trial. If you are interested, I will give personal information when contacted…
May 20th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Hello,, I would like to volunteer for any clinical trial. If you are interested
I really need the help, I am 5’2 and 225. lb’s i have never been this when i had my first child i lost it fast but my second one well i could she had heart problem and died 4 months after and the doctars had been on meds, since then i have had 2 more children and i just cant lose the weigh not with diet or exersise
nothing , i have no insurence but i really do need to lose weight dietbites run in our family and i just dont want that please please help thank you…
May 20th, 2010 at 2:18 am
Hello,,, I would like to volunteer for any clinical trial. If you are interested, ,My Delaina. I’m 48 years old, 4 feet and 11 inches tall. I weigh 369 pounds.
I’m just one more person who is battling “Obesity” everyday. I am writing to you because
I feel so frustrated and it’s out of desperation knowing that I need to lose this weight be-
fore I lose my life. It is my hope and prayer that maybe you can find a way to help me
with my weight problem.
May 20th, 2010 at 2:45 am
Hello, I would like to volunteer for any clinical trial. If you are interested
I really need youe help , i have not been able to lose weight after haveing chilren I am 5’2 And 225 lb’s and even tryed watch what i eat walk , deit just cant lose it and deitabities run in my family and i just not want or need that please HELP PLEASE…
May 22nd, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I am 46 yrs old, 5’3″ and 275lbs. I had labband surgery three yrs ago which caused acute erosion of the esophagus and had to be remove 36 hrs after placement. I still truggle with my weight and I am looking to find an alternative method. Are there any clinical trials in the Philadephia/Baltimore/DC area?
May 24th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Interested in the clinical trials and very interested in having the procedure done immediatly. Thank you for any info you may be able to provide. I live in Boulder CO
June 3rd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I am a 50yr old mother of 2. I seem to have lost my way with my weight control, It seems like I am gaining more and more weight with every year. I am over 200 lbs and my knees and everything hurts so bad. I am a full time student in the california area. I hope that you will at some point come to the California area, I would like to be one of the first to try out the balloon in the california area. Please let me know soon I am starting to feel hopeless.
September 9th, 2010 at 2:41 am
I would be very interested in participating in the clinical trial. I do fall into the catagory of obesity that I do not need the bypass . Lapband maybe but would rather try this ….Hope to hear back from you soon…Health Wealth and Happiness
October 31st, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I havebeen reading about this procedure for a while and I am really interested. I just finished my
Masters from USC and I am really working on loosing weight. I am really struggling, I weight 286 lbs 5″2. I gained so much weight so fast I feel really discouraged. This is the one aspect of my life where I feel out of control and hopeless. I have tried many diets, exercise and many weight loss programs, I loose some weight and then gain it all back. I need to get my life back and I think this procedure is my answer, I wish this was available in the U.S.
Estera
November 8th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
I also would love to try this, I have been on diet after diet exercise program after program and still am so heavy. I weigh in around 370lbs, I cannot bend over to tie my shoes, I have two boys at home who would love to have a mom that could take them to amusement parks and ride rides but can’t fit. I’m so tired of this lifestyle I need help…. thanks in advance for your consideration.
November 21st, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I think I would be perfect for this study I weigh 295 and im 6 foot 2 and I would fall in at a 35 BMI falling just short of qualifying for lapband. I would love to be in this study to try the balloon. I want to lose like 75 Lbs. I live in the dallas Ft worth area I will do it for free just give me a free balloon surgery and follow up.
January 10th, 2011 at 10:13 am
I am 5’6″ and 281 lbs. and would love to be in any study that uses the balloon procedure. Thanks in advance for any help you can do for me.
April 28th, 2011 at 11:19 am
I am intersted in becoming a volunteer for your balloon procedure. Do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you
September 4th, 2011 at 8:05 am
I weight 289lb, I would be interested in being a volunteer for this study. I am so tried of trying to lose weigh. I am at the end of my rope. Please help.
October 7th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I just turn 40 and weight 209lb at 5″1 and need to loose weight before health problem really start causing damages. I know I’m the perfect person for this study and treatment.
October 19th, 2011 at 10:49 am
HELLO, MY NAME IS RETHA AND IM SO BLESSED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU ABOUT ME. IM 39YRS OLD AND AM SEVERELY OBESE. I WEIGH 320LBS AND AM MISERABLE, SO MISERABLE! I WAS A NURSE FOR 16YRS OF MY LIFE, I SO MISS THAT. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN NO LONGER WORK BECAUSE OF ARTHRITIS IN MY HIPS. I FEEL MY LIFE IS JUST WASTING AWAY BECAUSE OF MY WEIGHT. I’M SO DEPRESSED ALL I DUE IS CRY DUE TO MY WEIGHT. I DON’T WANNA BE ANOTHER CASUALTY OF OVERWEIGHT WOMEN IN AMERICA. MY WHOLE FAMILY IS OBESE AND I SEE THEM DROPPING LIKE FLIES. IS THERE ANY KIND OF WAY THIS NEW PROCEDURE CAN HELP ME? MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
November 16th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Hello, I would like to know if you are looking for volunteers, I would love to be a volunteer for something to lose weight, I haven’t been able to feel good about my self for a long time now I struggle with my weight, I may not be as overweight as some but I often wonder why I can’t lose weight, could it be th stress of my life or the wondering from 1 min till the next if my spouse is going to be here when I wake in the morn. I just wish for once that something could be a wonderful blessing go me.
November 29th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
I was banded in November of 2005 after researching my decision for 2 years. A year later, I got a port infection and had to have the port removed. The port was left out for a few weeks in order for my body to heal and by that time it was a new year and my insurance company no longer covered wls. I fought and got it approved and the port was replaced on the other side of my body.
About 3 1/2 years later, I noticed what I thought was an infection in the long since healed incision over my bellybutton. Going back for a fill, I asked the surgeon about it (who was not the same surgeon who original “installed” the port) and he informed me that the tubing was about to pop thru my skin because it wasn’t properly placed.
In June of 2010, I had to have my port removed….again. My original port was a larger one and the second port was a low profile one. June, 2010…port removed…but I didn’t know that before I was put to sleep. 6 inches of tubing had come out of my body and I was told that tubing would be removed because of the exposure to the outside of my body an that IF the port looked like it had been compromised, the port would be removed. I woke up to find the tubing had been CLEANED and put back into my body and the port removed.
I HAD AN INFECTION AT THE INCISION OVER MY BELLY BUTTON FOR 10 MONTHS. I was sick and tired of packing and cleaning an incision. I certainly used a LOT of gauze and surgical tape along with the long qtips and ointment.
All of this and the surgeon’s office continues to send me an invoice for $30, which was my copay, when I continue to tell them that for 90 days I was covered and this invoice is for a follow up visit during that 90 days. Now I just tear them up and throw them away.
Its just been a few months since my incision healed but I’d long since decided NOT to have the port put back in. Now I’m just scared that the band will erode in to my stomach because I’ve gained back almost all of my 92 pounds I’d lost and I’m worried about that tubing just flapping around in there and what if it punctured something. So, I have to have this band taken out sooner or later.
Another surgery. I need to have a colonscopy and have requested an endoscope to check on the band and now I need surgery to remove the band. Think my name could go on the top of the volunteer list here and all of that could be done while the BIB was being put in place?
I met someone on ObesityHelp who was stationed in Japan and had the BIB. I talked to a surgeon in Florida who had done a band but not in this country. I wondered if it would ever come out way and it looks like we might be catching up with some of the rest of the world.
I was thinking “sleeve” but I don’t know. Surgery isn’t a wonderful thought to me but staying in a hospital is even less of an excitement. But I have to do something. The band and the tubing has to come out. Question is….what am I going to choose to have done during that surgery? Whatever it is, I’m self pay this time….the insurance doesn’t cover wls anymore. The outpatient for the last port removal costs me $1500 in copays when the first removal costs me $30 as a copay as it was removed in the doctor’s office!!!!!
December 11th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Hello I am Vania Cruz. I am currently 290lbs I am 22. would like to join the study as well. thank you