RIYADH — In Saudi Arabia where the prevalence of obesity is a growing health concern resulting to a number of other diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, and osteoarthritis, a new non-surgical, fully reversible treatment that helps facilitate weight loss is gaining popularity.

In a medical conference organized by Al Sultan Saudi Medical Company held in Riyadh and attended by an elite group of doctors specialized in obesity treatment, the effectiveness of “Obalon Balloon System” for losing excess weight is heralded as an innovative solution for individuals who suffer from obesity and who failed to lose weight by way of traditional diet.

It was disclosed at the conference that in the past three years alone, a total of 5,500 Saudis used the Obalon balloon system for weight loss. The success of the system is estimated at 90 percent, whereas 10 percent failed due to non-compliance of the patient with the required nutritional habits and physical exercises.

The FDA and SFDA-approved Obalon balloon system is the latest most developed and safest medical technique to help individuals lose weight without surgery, according to them. The patient has to swallow three lightweight balloons over a period of six months, which will then inflate using nitrogen gas and occupy a part of the stomach which suppresses the desire to eat more. Each balloon placement takes less than 10 minutes. The older version of the system is for three-month duration. No surgery or enteroscopy is involved in the balloon process.

The Obalon system is used to lose the excess weight among adults whose BMI (body mass index) is between 27 - 35, and who failed in losing their weight through diets or sports only.

Dr. Jaime Ponce, MD in Bariatric Surgery at CHI Memorial Hospital, USA, and former president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), said the modern Obalon system adopted in many developed states is known for its effective results and total safety. Clinical studies proved that patients using this technique have lost double the weight they have lost using the normal diet and sport only, he noted.

Dr. Ponce further stated: “This technique is attracting many patients in KSA, especially that weight loss is considered to be one of the difficult challenges they face, while many patients had recourse to liposuction or to sleeve gastrectomy which may cause dangerous side effects.”

Dr. Ponce added though that the Obalon technique does not work alone. It should be accompanied by diet and sport so that the person reaches the optimal weight. The technique consists in following the instructions of the treating physician, knowing that this technique helps you feel satisfied quickly, and eat less, with the necessity of avoiding high-calorie foods and beverages like desserts and soft drinks.

Emad Al Zaben, Group General Manager of Al Sultan Saudi Medical Company, said the company is cooperating with the health sector to offer the latest techniques for overweight treatments, including the much sought-after Obalon.

He added that the company provided an application (Virtual Health Partners) on smartphones for the patients to help them eat healthy, change their nutrition lifestyle, go into sport, and consult local and international physicians and nutritionists, in order to reach their goal and achieve the optimal body weight. — SG