Apollo Endosurgery’s ORBERA Balloon for Weight Loss FDA Approved

Apollo Endosurgery (Austin, TX) won FDA approval to introduce the company’s ORBERA intragastric balloon to help with weight loss for people on front lines of obesity epidemic, basically those with a BMI between 30 and 40.  The balloon is delivered endoscopically via the mouth and inflated with a saline solution, filling up a good deal of the volume of the stomach. The presence of the balloon creates the sensation of satiety, hopefully reducing the urge to eat. The procedure takes approximately a half hour, doesn’t involve any surgery, and the patient is free to go home the same day.

The therapy is indicated for six months of use, after which a reverse procedure that sucks out the saline, deflates the balloon, and removes it, is performed. In addition to the device, the totality of the therapy also involves dietary advice, psychological help, and exercise in a coaching environment over a year period.

Here’s an animation of the implantation and removal procedures:

Product page: ORBERA…

Source: Apollo Endosurgery