Is ReShape Right for Me?
Roughly 30 percent of adults in America are considered overweight, and if you’re like them, you know what a struggle shedding pounds can truly be. Your life becomes a revolving door of various diets and exercise routines, all of which prove unsuccessful in getting your weight under control. Yet, despite failure, gastric surgery is not an avenue you are looking to explore or qualify for.
Thankfully, there is an alternative that you may want to consider to help with your journey to a healthier you, and it doesn’t involve surgery. The alternative is gastric balloons.
If you are moderately overweight, a gastric balloon procedure may be an excellent way to jumpstart weight loss and help keep the weight off long-term. There are a few different techniques and programs available, but one of the most comprehensive procedures to date in the U.S. is the ReShape gastric balloon.
What is ReShape, exactly?
ReShape is an FDA-approved weight loss approach that helps people achieve and maintain a significant amount of weight loss through a simple outpatient procedure that does not permanently alter your digestive anatomy or leave any scars. The procedure is completely reversible, and the majority of people who undergo it can resume normal activity within a few days.
How Does ReShape Work?
Two balloons are placed in your stomach and filled with saline (salt water) in order to occupy some of the space, making you feel full and less hungry. It’s like built-in portion control.
The true beauty of ReShape is that it’s a complete package. In addition to the balloons, it includes a year of all-inclusive coaching and helpful tools. The coaching helps you make healthier choices regarding food and lifestyle while the tools provided help you stay the course. Tools include:
- A wireless activity tracker and scale
- A patient portal (via desktop and phone) with unlimited access that helps you track your progress and food intake while providing articles and recipes for healthy living
While the balloons are in place, you will meet on a monthly basis with counselors to receive fitness, behavior and personalized nutrition guidance. The support system you’ll receive will be key to ensuring your weight loss success long after the balloons are removed.
How is the ReShape Procedure Performed?
Under light anesthesia, two connected balloons are inserted into your stomach using an endoscope (a long, thin tube). Then, they are filled with saline. Once the balloons are filled, the endoscope is removed and the procedure is done, all of which takes approximately 20 minutes. The balloons will then remain in your stomach for the next six months.
Do I Qualify for ReShape?
ReShape may be an option for you if you:
- Are committed to living a healthier lifestyle
- Are not on blood thinners or pregnant
- Do not have a history of bariatric surgery, hiatal hernias or ulcers
- Are motivated to lose weight but have been unsuccessful
- Have a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40
Don’t wait. Start your weight loss journey today. Speak to a gastroenterologist about ReShape to see if it’s right for you.
Patients Come First.
Digestive Healthcare Center.
