What are the health benefits?
The health benefits of the BIB™ (the gastric balloon technique used at Healthier Weight) are those associated with any method of weight loss, including an improvement in diabetes, hypertension (raised blood pressure) and sleep apnoea. There are also major improvements in mobility and self-esteem.
What are the long-term benefits?
A recently published study looked at what happens to BIB™ patients one-year after the gastric balloon was removed. At the time of removal of the BIB™, average weight loss for the 100 patients in the study was 12 kg (40% excess weight). One year later, mean weight loss was 8.6 kg (26% of excess weight). A further study of 140 patients with a follow-up of up to 30 months, found that 40% of patients maintained a weight loss of 25% excess weight or above.
Taken together, these results are encouraging and serve to make the very important point that long-term success with the gastric balloon depends upon a genuine commitment to weight loss management, involving making - and sustaining - significant lifestyle changes.
For more information on the benefits of Healthier Weight treatments, see our sections on the benefits of the gastric band and gastric bypass.
