Obesity Treatment Devices

Although body mass index (BMI) is a popular method of calculating body fat, the following measurements are better alternatives for determining your weight level.

Obesity is a major public health concern in the United States and has been linked to many health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and breathing problems.

Obesity (an excessive amount of body fat) is defined by body mass index (BMI), which is calculated from a person's weight and height.

• A BMI of 30 kg/m² or more is considered obese.

Gastric Band - bands are placed around the top portion of the stomach leaving only a small portion available for food.

• Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System

Electrical Stimulation Systems - electrical stimulator is placed in the abdomen to block nerve activity between the brain and stomach.

• Maestro Rechargeable System

Gastric Balloon Systems - inflatable balloons are placed in the stomach to take up space.

• ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System (Reshape Dual Balloon)
• ORBERA Intragastric Balloon System
• Obalon Balloon System

Gastric Emptying Systems - a tube is inserted between the stomach and outside of the abdomen to drain food after eating.

• AspireAssist

Prior to prescribing medicine or recommending surgery, doctors will probably want their patients to demonstrate healthy lifestyles that include better nutrition and increased physical activity. Even after medical or surgical treatments, patients will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives. And some patients, despite treatments and lifestyle changes, may not be able to lose weight or maintain weight loss.

Patients should be evaluated and treated for eating disorders before considering obesity treatment. An undiagnosed and untreated eating disorder can have serious health consequences for patients, and in fact, some devices are contraindicated for patients that have a history of eating disorders. Medical professionals may also find it appropriate to closely monitor patients that have received obesity devices during treatment for evidence of an eating disorder.

Common eating disorders include binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org), some 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life.