A New Tool: Washington University Physicians

Few health issues are as much of an emotional rollercoaster as the fight to lose weight. We tend to slip into an up-and-down cycle of diets, working out, supplements … but in the end, appetite often wins the battle and the pounds prove stubborn.

At Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Washington University Physicians are working to help patients close that loop and keep extra weight at bay. One solution they offer adults who are at least 30 pounds overweight is the nonsurgical intragastric balloon procedure, which helps the patient feel fuller and less tempted to overeat. The treatment is newer, but it’s FDA-approved and showing positive results, says Dr. Vlad Kushnir, director of bariatric endoscopy at Washington University. It can be a good solution for people needing to lose eight to 10 percent of their body weight, he notes.

“We have two brands of balloons in use, ReShape and Orbera,” Kushnir says. “A third is recently approved, and we should begin offering it later this year.” Under anesthesia, the physician places a silicone balloon in the upper part of the stomach through an endoscopic procedure. The balloon is then filled with saline and it stays in place for six months before it is removed. During those months and afterward, medical staff counsel patients about nutrition, smaller portion sizes, eating slower, exercising and other behaviors to keep weight stable after the balloon comes out.

Kushnir says some initial cramping or nausea is possible immediately after balloon placement, but patients tend to respond well with take-home medications. For the first week, the patient eats a modified liquid diet, then returns to a normal low-calorie diet, he explains. “Most people take two or three days off work for the procedure, and then return to regular physical activity in a few days.”

Andrea Walker was one of those patients who’d been riding the weight-loss rollercoaster and looking for a better solution. “I was basically healthy, but uncomfortable at my weight,” she explains. “I was concerned that I would start having weight-related health issues, but as I got older, I found it increasingly difficult to lose the pounds.” Walker drove from her home in mid-Missouri to consult with Kushnir, and they decided the intragastric balloon would be a good choice to help her lose about 65 pounds. She was able to shed about 10 pounds per month while the balloon was in place, and says she has successfully kept it off.

“Nothing else I’d tried had done that,” notes Walker, who had the outpatient procedure done at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. “I knew the balloon wasn’t magic; it was a tool. It gave me a kick-start and held me accountable.” Walker says the balloon made her feel full, and that, plus strong medical and family support, helped her achieve success.

“At two years after removal, most people have kept off at least half the weight they lost,” Kushnir notes. The procedure is not covered by health insurance, but the physician group works closely with patients to arrange service packages to fit their needs. “It’s a good alternative for people with reservations about surgery because it’s completely reversible,” Kushnir says. “And even 10 to 15 pounds of weight loss can improve blood pressure, pain issues, cholesterol, energy level and quality of life.”

Walker says of her journey, “My goal wasn’t to get skinny; it was to feel good. Being thinner, looking better and having more energy—that’s the cherry on top.”

Pictured: Patient Andrea Walker before and after her intragastric balloon procedure
Photo: Mark Gilliland

Washington University Physicians offer a complete slate of services to help patients maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Free information sessions on the intragastric balloon procedure are offered at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. For details, visit barnesjewishwestcounty.org/nonsurgical-weight-loss or call 314.362.2652.

Cover design provided by Washington University Physicians | Cover photo by Mark Gilliland