Factors Affecting Weight Reduction after Intragastric Balloon Insertion: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUNDOver one-third of Americans carry the diagnosis of obesity, many also with obesity-related comorbidities. This can place patients at increased risk of operative and postoperative complications. The intragastric balloon has been shown to aid in minor weight loss, however its weight recidivism in patients requiring short interval weight loss has not been well studied.AIMTo evaluate weight loss, ability to undergo successful elective surgery after intragastric balloon placement, and weight management after balloon removal.METHODSThis study is a retrospective review of patients in a single academic institution undergoing intragastric balloon placement from 2019-2023 to aid in weight loss prior to undergoing elective surgery. Clinical outcomes including weight loss, duration of balloon placement, successful elective surgery, weight regain post-balloon and post-procedure complications were assessed. Exclusion criteria included those with balloon in place at time of study.RESULTSThirty-three patients completed intragastric balloon therapy from 2019-2023 as a bridge to elective surgery. All patients were required to participate in a 12-month weight management program to be eligible for balloon therapy. Elective surgeries included incisional hernia repair, umbilical hernia repair, inguinal hernia repair, and knee and hip replacements. The average age at placement was 53 years ± 11 years, majority (91%) were male. The average duration of intragastric balloon therapy was 186 days ± 41 days. The average weight loss was 14.0 kg ± 7.4 kg and with an average percent excess body weight loss of 30.0% (7.9%-73.6%). Over half of the patients (52.0%) achieved the goal of 30-50 lbs (14-22 kg) weight loss. Twenty-one patients (64%) underwent their intended elective surgery, 2 patients (6%) deferred surgery due to symptom relief with weight loss alone. Twenty-one of the patients (64%) have documented weights in 3 months after balloon removal, in these patients the majority (76%) gained weight after balloon removed. In patients with weight regain at 3 months, they averaged 5.8 kg after balloon removal in the first 3 months, this averaged 58.4% weight regain of the initial weight lost.CONCLUSIONIntragastric balloon placement is an option for short-term weight management, as a bridge to elective surgery in patients with body mass index (BMI) > 35. Patients lost an average of 14 kg with the balloon, allowing two-thirds of patients to undergo elective surgery at a healthy BMI. However, most patients regained an average of 58% of the original weight lost after balloon removal. The intragastric balloon successfully serves as a tool for rapid weight loss, though patients must be educated on the risks including weight regain.

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Intragastric balloon (IGB) insertion is used as a bridging therapy in patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 kg/m2 . We arranged a retrospective study to evaluate whether pre-operative IGB treatment influences perioperative and postoperative weight loss outcomes after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and especially to evaluate the impact of post - IGB percentage of excessive weight loss (%EWL) on postoperative %EWL.</br> <b><br>Materials and methods:</b> Patients who underwent IGB placement followed by laparoscopic SG were divided into the following groups considering %EWL after IGB: Group 1 <=10.38%; Group 2 >10.38% and <=17.27%; Group 3 >17.27% and <=24.86%; Group 4 >24.86%. 1 year after SG data were collected. The following parameters were compared between groups: operative time, total blood loss, length of stay and weight, BMI, percentage of total weight loss (%TWL), %EWL.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> There were no statistically significant differences between groups in perioperative results. Post-SG %EWL was the highest in intermediate groups: 2 and 3. Post-treatment results were observed: body weight and BMI were the lowest in Group 4 and the highest in Group 1. Post-treatment %EWL was the highest in Group 4, the lowest in Group 1 and grew gradually in subsequent groups.</br> <b><br>Discussion:</b> The study confirmed the impact of weight loss on IGB on postoperative results. The study showed that %EWL after the IGB treatment influences %EWL after SG and most of all affects definitive %EWL after two-stage treatment and it could be a foreshadowing factor of these outcomes.</br> <b><br>Importance:</b> The importance of research for the development of the field %EWL after IGB influences the final BMI and final weight, which means that patients with the greatest %EWL after IGB are more likely to have the greatest postoperative weight loss and overall weight loss.</br>

Elevated brain myo-inositol (m-Ins) concentration (a putative marker of neuroinflammation) has been reported in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Obesity alone and T2DM have been found to be associated with a lower concentration of N-acetyloaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNAA, a marker of neuronal integrity, reflecting neuronal loss or metabolic derangement). It is not clear if these changes reverse with weight loss. The intra-gastric balloon (IGB) is an endoscopic bariatric therapy that leads to massive weight loss and improvement of glycemic control. In this study we evaluated if tNAA/tCr and m-Ins/tCr metabolite ratios are affected by weight loss, where tCr is the signal of creatine containing compounds. Twenty-three morbidly obese patients, 12 of them with T2DM (OD) and 11 without T2DM (OB), as well as 11 healthy controls of normal weight (CON), underwent single voxel spectroscopy at 3T. Spectra were obtained within a region in the left parietal white matter one month before IGB insertion, three months after IGB insertion, and one month after IGB removal. Before IGB insertion, m-Ins/tCr was 15% higher in OD than in OB (p=0.005) and 12% higher in OD than in CON (p=0.03). m-Ins/tCr decreased significantly by 8% over the first three months after IGB insertion (p=0.01) and remained normal after IGB removal. tNAA/tCr was normal in all groups throughout the study, pointing to normal brain metabolism. Normalization of m-Ins/tCr is consistent with remission of neuroinflammation in patients with T2DM. An evaluation of long-term effects of IGB treatment is necessary.

To determine long-term outcome after treatment with an intragastric balloon for 6 months, with no structured weight maintenance program offered after balloon removal. 100 consecutive overweight/obese individuals (mean body mass index [BMI] 35.0 +/- 5.6 kg/m (2)) were prospectively followed after endoscopic implantation of a saline-filled intragastric balloon; 97 completed final follow-up at a mean of 4.8 +/- 1.6 years. Successful intragastric balloon therapy was defined as weight loss at 6 months of > or = 10 % of weight at baseline, that remained > or = 10 % until 2.5 years, without bariatric surgery. All analyses followed intention-to-treat principles. At 6 months, mean weight loss was 12.6 +/- 8.3 kg, 63 individuals had > or = 10 % baseline weight loss; no severe morbidity was detected. During the first and second years following intragastric balloon removal, mean body mass increased by 4.2 +/- 6.8 and 2.3 +/- 6.0 kg, respectively ( P < 0.001 for both year-on-year comparisons). At 2.5 years, intragastric balloon therapy had been successful in 24 participants. At final follow-up (4.8 +/- 1.6 years), 28 had > or = 10 % baseline weight loss, 35 had undergone bariatric surgery (60 % had preoperative mass higher than baseline), and 3 were lost to follow-up; the 34 remaining had lost 1.5 +/- 5.8 kg compared with baseline. During follow-up, 13 had a second intragastric balloon implanted and 13 took sibutramine for short periods. Intragastric balloon therapy was relatively innocuous and associated with successful weight loss and maintenance at 2.5 years in a quarter of participants. It represents a valid option for weight loss.

Intra-gastric balloon therapy and weight reduction

Intra-gastric balloon (IGB) therapy is the most established endoscopic treatment of obesity, but there is a paucity of literature on long-term efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the short- and long-term weight loss efficacy of IGB. Double-blinded RCT with 6-month IGB vs with sham endoscopy, in body mass index (BMI) 27-35 patients. Anthropometric, fasting glucose, and lipid profile measurement as early outcomes (up to 2years) and 10-year follow-up. Primary outcomes were total body weight loss (kg) and BMI. Secondary outcomes were new-onset diabetes mellitus, other new comorbidities, and willingness for further intervention. Initial RCT recruited 99 patients (50 IGB vs 49 sibutramine group). Forty-nine patients (26 IGB vs 23 control group) participated in a 10-year review (follow-up rate of 51.6%). Total body weight loss at 6 (9.75 vs 7.48kg, p = 0.03), 12 (6.52 vs 4.42kg, p = 0.05), 18 (5.42 vs 3.57, p = 0.32), and 24months (4.07 vs 2.93kg, p = 0.56) favored the IGB group. Total weight loss (TWL) at 10years (0.03 vs - 2.32kg, p = 0.05) and %TWL (- 0.16 ± 12.8% vs - 2.84 ± 5.6%, p = 0.39) were not significantly different between groups. Follow-up BMI (30.97 ± 1.6 vs 30.38 ± 1.8kg/m2, p = 1.00) was similar. At 10years, new-onset diabetes mellitus, sleep apnoea, metabolic syndrome, and arthralgia were not significant (p > 0.05). Twenty-three (81%) IGB group vs 13 (56%) control expressed a willingness for further intervention (p < 0.01). IGB delivers weight loss to 2years and is superior to control. However, new comorbidity development is not significantly different at 10years. Patient that received IGB therapy were subsequently more willing for further bariatric metabolic intervention.

Excess weight loss (%EWL) results show significant variation by initial body mass index (BMI): the heavier the patient, the lower the result. It is unclear whether this effect originates from the arithmetic construction of this outcome measure or from any true difference in bariatric impact on heavier and lighter patients. Outcome measures generating inappropriate variation would actually be unsuited for bariatric reports with possible implications on existing bariatric evidence. Nadir weight loss results after laparoscopic gastric bypass in 7,212 women from the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database (BOLD) are calculated for %EWL and 26 different relative measures using the formula 100% × (initial BMI - nadir BMI)/(initial BMI - a), with reference point 0 ≤ a ≤ 25. Variations by initial BMI and deviations in results using each relative measure are compared. Mean initial BMI, 47.5 kg/m(2). Mean nadir BMI, 28.9 kg/m(2). Mean nadir results of the lighter (A) and heavier (B) halves (2× n=3, 606) by reference point, a=25 (excess BMI loss (%EBMIL)), 95.3% (A)-77.2% (B); a=ideal weight (%EWL), 81.7% (A)-70.4% (B); a=10, 49.6% (A)-49.7% (B); a=0 (total weight loss (%TWL)), 37.7% (A)-40.2% (B). Variation by initial BMI is significant using all relative measures, except those with a = 9 (p = 0.396) and a = 10 (p = 0.504). The smallest variation coefficient is 21.5% at 8 ≤ a ≤ 14. Gastric bypass works equally effective for all female patients, reducing the part of body mass above 10 kg/m(2) by an average of 49.6%, regardless of their initial BMI. In contrast, %EWL and %EBMIL generate variation by initial BMI, providing lighter patients inappropriately with better results, potentially interfering with the significance of bariatric evidence. These two most widespread used outcome measures in bariatric surgery are therefore actually unsuited for comparing patients or groups. This BOLD data makes a strong argument for abandoning %EWL and %EBMIL altogether and reporting bariatric relative outcome as %TWL only.

We introduced intragastric balloon placement in Japan and evaluated the initial data. Between December 2004 and March 2008, intragastric balloons [BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) system] were placed in 21 Japanese patients with obesity [six women, 15 men; mean age 40+/-9 years; mean body mass index (BMI) 40+/-9 kg/m2]. The inclusion criteria were morbid obesity (BMI>or=35 kg/m2), the presence of obesity-related disorders, and failure with conventional treatments for at least 6 months. The balloon was routinely removed under endoscopy after 5 months. No serious complications occurred, but in two of the 21 patients (9.5%), early removal (within 1 week) of the balloon was required due to continuous abdominal discomfort. Two other patients (9.5%) could not control their eating behavior and were considered unresponsive to the treatment, and their balloons were also removed before 5 months. Seventeen of the 21 patients (81%) finished the treatment, and the average weight loss and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at the time the balloons were removed were 12+/-5 kg and 27+/-9%, respectively. Eight patients were followed for 1 year without intervention of consecutive bariatric surgery, and at that time, four of these patients had kept more than 20% of %EWL. The other patients regained their weight in the first year. Intragastric balloon placement is a safe and effective procedure in obese Japanese patients, and about half of the patients will maintain their weight loss after the balloon is removed.

One-year weight loss after primary or revisional Roux-en- Y gastric bypass for failed adjustable gastric banding

IntroductionObesity is a pandemic causing a significant burden on healthcare systems and carries increased morbidity and mortality. One of the options for managing obesity is endoscopic intragastric balloon (IGB) insertion. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy, tolerance, and side effects of IGB insertion in overweight and obese patients.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional retrospective study that includes 71 patients who underwent IGB insertion from 2015 to 2019 at King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH), Kingdom of Bahrain. Records of these patients were accessed to assess the percentage of weight loss at the time of balloon removal, complications, and tolerance of the procedure. Furthermore, telephonic interviews were conducted to enquire about side effects and the satisfaction of the procedure.ResultsA total of 57 patients were included in the weight loss analysis. Thirteen patients did not tolerate the balloon, and one patient had a balloon rupture. The patients experienced a significant reduction in weight upon balloon removal with a mean of 9.74 ± 8.71 kg (p-value of <0.001) and percentage total body weight loss of 10.48 ± 8.07 (p-value of <0.001). A significant reduction was also seen in the body mass index of 3.67 ± 3.57 (p-value of <0.001). The most frequent side effects were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. No major complications or mortalities occurred.ConclusionIntragastric balloons are effective in establishing weight loss. Among patients who tolerated the procedure, the most frequently reported side effects were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The introduction of an endoscopically-placed Bariatric Intragastric Balloon (BIB) provided the opportunity to reexamine weight reduction methods and also study potential weight loss without resorting to surgical intervention. 10 severely obese patients with mean age 33 years and mean body mass index 39, underwent BIB placement, 7 as a sole weight reduction procedure and 3 requiring weight reduction before repair of large incisional hernias. All patients were followed at 2-week intervals by a nurse practitioner and dietitian for 6 months. Mean weight loss was 18.6 kg (range 6.6-40.0), equivalent to 40% excess weight loss (EWL), range 10-81%. EWL was 54% (29-81%) in those patients who had two balloons placed, who lost an average of 30.3 kg (24.0-40.0 kg). In the patients who had only one balloon placed, mean weight loss was 10.4 kg (8.8-12.5), equal to an EWL of 19% (10-37%). These results lead us to consider BIB placement as a successful short-term measure for weight loss or for patients requiring at least weight loss before other surgery.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a popular choice for patients seeking weight loss surgery. Since behavioural change appears to play a role in weight loss outcomes we postulated that publicly funded patients might not do as well as self-payers. This series examines the effect of public funding versus self-pay on patients undergoing LAGB over 1, 2 and 3 years. Consecutive non-randomised cohort series of patient undergoing LAGB over 5 years (September 2003 to December 2008) in a single unit. Age, sex, funding route, body mass index (BMI) and complications were recorded. Per cent excess weight loss (EWL) and the Reinhold criterion for success (proportion achieving 50 % EWL) were assessed. Ninety-nine patients were publicly funded, and 250 patients were self-payers. Initial BMI was significantly higher in publicly funded patients (46.6 vs. 42.3 kg/m(2), p < 0.001) with a higher proportion of males (22.2 vs. 6.0 %, p < 0.001). Mean % EWL was significantly less for publicly funded patients at 1 year (38.1 vs. 53.5 %, p < 0.001) and 2 years (49.6 vs. 64.1 %, p < 0.001), but not at 3 years (59.7 vs. 61.8 %, p = 0.784). Fewer publicly funded patients achieved 50 % EWL at 1 year (24.5 vs. 50.2 %, p < 0.001), but with no significant difference at 2 years (54.8 vs. 67.0 %, p = 0.140) or 3 years (55.2 vs. 66.0 %, p = 0.349). Self-pay patients initially achieved more % EWL and greater success in reaching 50 % EWL after LAGB, but this difference was not maintained. The results suggest that patient motivation, using self-pay as a surrogate marker, may affect early results, but the operation itself is the main determinant of weight loss at 3 years.

Background: Surgical obesity treatment is difficult for both surgeons and patients. The three main categories of bariatric surgery procedures are malabsorptive, restrictive, or both in combination. Intragastric balloon (IB) is an easily applicable restrictive interventional and nonsurgical strategy for obese patients, and the surgical procedure known as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is frequently used to help obese patients decrease weight. Objective: To assess and compare these two restrictive approaches. Patients and Methods: A prospective study of 138 LSG patients was conducted, (n=82) and IB (n=56) between 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2021 in private hospitals in Erbil, Iraq. The study retrospectively evaluates patients' demographic information, changes in total body weight (TBW), changes in body mass index (BMI), and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), morbidities and change of comorbidities during a year of follow-up, at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after surgery. Comparative analysis was undertaken for the follow-up results after 6 and 12 months. Results: In the IB group, 12 patients did not tolerate insertion, leaving 56; in the LSG group, 82 patients completed treatment. In terms of age (p=0.121), gender (p=0.242), and BMI (p=0.078), there were no statistical differences between the IB and LSG groups. The LSG group achieved statistically significant superior treatment outcomes in terms of changes in TBW, BMI, and %EWL. Conclusion: Both LSG and IB are beneficial in the short term for helping obese patients lose weight. IB has the benefit of being performed as an outpatient procedure with less complications, but it is less successful in helping people lose weight than LSG. The best options for various patient groups in terms of clinical outcomes and health system effectiveness must be determined through prospective, randomized control studies.

Introduction: Standard, wearable devices for measuring physical activity can be removed by the patient. Therefore, there is concern about the reliability of the results obtained. This study compares selected physical activity measurements obtained with a wearable device to those obtained with an activity patch permanently attached to the patient’s forearm (for the duration of a single week only), providing continuous measurement. Methods: Physical activity was measured simultaneously with both devices in a group of 14 morbidly obese patients over a period of one week: one month before insertion of intragastric balloon (IGB) and one month after its removal. Selected measures (covered distance and energy expenditure during physical activity) were compared both cross-sectionally and in terms of changes over course of the IGB treatment. Results: The covered distance measurements obtained using both devices were correlated both before IGB placement and after IGB (r&gt;0.606, p&lt;0.024). Similarly, the increases in distance traveled measurements obtained with both devices were correlated (r=0.76, p=0.04). The obtained measurements of energy expenditure during physical activity correlated only after IGB removal (r=0.600, p=0.012). Conclusion: The results confirm that in large cohorts, measurements of physical activity obtained with wearable devices are comparable to those obtained with activity patches. However, the possibility remains that in individual cases the measurement may differ due to patient non-compliance.

Background/AimsIntragastric balloon (IGB) is the only available endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapy in Korea. End-ball (Endalis) has the longest history of clinical use among the IGBs available in Korea. However, little clinical data on this system have been reported. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of End-ball in Korea.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent IGB insertion (End-ball) from 2013 to 2019. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected. The efficacy and safety of IGB treatment were analyzed.ResultsIn total, 80 patients were included. Mean age was 33.7 years and 83.8% were female. Initial body mass index was 34.48±4.69 kg/m2. Body mass index reduction was 3.72±2.63 kg/m2 at the time of IGB removal. Percent of total body weight loss (%TBWL) was 10.76%±6.76%. Percentage excess body weight loss was 43.67%±27.59%. Most adverse events were minor, and 71.4% of participants showed nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.ConclusionsIGB treatment showed good efficacy and safety profile in Korean patients with obesity. In terms of %TBWL and percentage excess body weight loss, the efficacy was similar to that in the Western population.