Page 22 - Inspire Health January/February 2017

DEFLATE Sometimes diet and exercise just but not enough to qualify for surgery, St.
YOUR doesn’t cut it. Luke’s now is offering a new procedure
APPETITE You’ve tried diets and that uses balloons to make you feel fuller,

NEW PROCEDURE workout routines, but those pounds just eat less — and lose weight.
CAN HELP YOU
LOSE WEIGHT don’t budge. “It was just approved last year by the

By Linda Doell With the obesity epidemic in this FDA for patients in the US,” he said.

country, you’re certainly not alone if “We’ve been looking at it very closely.

you’re carrying extra pounds. According As part of a comprehensive program this

to the National Institutes of Health, is another option and alternative for our

more than two-thirds of all adults in the patients to help them lose weight. We

United States are considered overweight are the only center in the entire region

or obese. What’s more, 35.7 percent of that is offering this.”

adults are considered obese. St. Luke’s will be using the ReShape

But what to do if you have weight you Integrated Dual Balloon System for

can’t shed and it’s affecting your health? patients who have a body mass index of

“Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies 30 to 40 and who haven’t been able to

for surgery,” said Leonardo Claros, MD, lose weight through diet and exercise. In

FACS, FASMBS, and St. Luke’s chief, addition, patients must have an obesity-

bariatric section director, Weight related condition, such as high blood

Management Center. To help those pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. A

people who have some weight to lose, person is considered a normal weight if

22 INSPIRE HEALTH JANUARY · FEBRUARY 2017