Nicholson Clinic

As obesity reaches epidemic proportions in the United States, medical scientists have been searching for new, effective and less invasive ways to help people safely shed pounds. A relatively new procedure that involves the placement of a balloon is offering a great deal of hope on this front. Called the Orbera gastric balloon, this procedure is meant to help promote weight loss in those who might not be candidates for more permanent procedures like gastric bypasses or the sleeve gastrectomy. Orbera involves an outpatient procedure that takes roughly about 45 minutes to perform. During this time, the balloon is inserted into the stomach through the mouth and then inflated once in place. The medical-grade balloon is filled with simple saline solution to take up some of the stomach’s holding capacity space. Intended to be fully reversible, the balloon remains in place for about six months and then is removed in the same fashion as it was inserted. Orbera is meant to be performed in c

Bariatric surgery has long proven extremely helpful in assisting people who are obese shed pounds safely and effectively in a lasting manner. Even so, myths about these procedures, their effectiveness and safety persist. When the facts about bariatric surgery are understood, it becomes clear why these procedures are so strongly recommended for those who are severely overweight and may be experiencing obesity-related comorbidities. Here are a few of the more common myths about bariatric surgery : • Patients only lose weight because they cannot eat normally after surgery – This is absolutely not correct. While stomach holding capacity is diminished after such procedures and patients will feel fuller faster, normal diets can be maintained. In most cases, patients work very closely with nutritionists after surgery to ensure healthy, proper eating. • Bariatric surgery is cosmetic – This is absolutely not so. This type of surgery is considered metabolic, not cosmetic. While it can p