Emad Alzaben, Group General Manager of Alsultan Saudi Medical Company;  Prof. Alfredo Genco Department of Surgical Science, Surgical Endoscopy Unit, Multidisciplinary Center for the treatment of morbid obesity, Policlinico Umberto Hospital - Sapienza University;  Camillio Ducino, Regional Manager of Obalon Company.

 

ALSULTAN Saudi Medical Company launched Obalon in Saudi Arabia, the latest technology for weight loss which is considered one of the safest ways in helping overweight adults lose weight without undergoing any complicated surgeries.



At a press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Emad Alzaben, Group General Manager of Al Sultan Saudi Medical Company, said “the importance of this unique technology in treating overweight patients using the extraordinary technology of the Obalon Balloon (smart capsule) is that it offers a quick, discreet, non-surgical and fully reversible weigh loss solution.” He added “Al Sultan Saudi Medical Company is considered as one of the leading medical companies in the Middle East which is keen to offer its patients the latest on what medical innovation has to offer including Obalon, being the pioneer in introducing breakthrough technology to the Kingdom and the Middle East, changing the lives of many with this revolutionary technique.”



The importance of this unprecedented technology is considered a scientific revolution in overweight treatment, playing a vital role in reducing obesity cases that have been spreading widely within the community, leading to serious implications such as; diabetes, high blood sugar and cholesterol.



Obalon capsule contains a balloon that is orally permitted and inflated to occupy the upper space in the stomach to create a feeling of fullness to help people eat less. Additional balloons can be swallowed and inflated during the treatment period depending on the response and needs of the patient.



At the end of the treatment period, the balloons are removed through a short endoscopic procedure. The entire procedure takes only 15 minutes with no sedation required.



Studies have showed that patients who used Obalon technology lost an average of 7.4 percent of their total body weight and 41 percent of excess body weight within 12 weeks of the balloon application, which is approximately 8 to 12 kilos within 3 months.



Obalon technology is being introduced and implemented across various hospitals in the Kingdom by acknowledged medical practitioners like Dr. Suleiman Al Habib Hospital, Riyadh and Al Qassim, including Dr. Azzam Alkadi Consultant laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Abdulah Al Jahdali, Dr Omar Al Obaid General surgery Consultant and Dr. Azzam Alkadi Consultant laparoscopic surgery; Al Mashfa Hospital, Jeddah, including Dr. Adnan Sabahi consultant of Surgical Endoscopy Unit and Morbid Obesity; Dr. Erfan and Bagedo General Hospital (Jeddah) with Dr. Iyad Al-Subie – head of the digestive system and endoscopes and Dr. Omar Al-Subie Consultant Internal Medicine Gastroenterology; Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Hospital including Dr. Khalid Merza Deapartment of Surgery, Division Head, Armed Forces Hospital at King Abdulaziz Air Base including Dr. Abdulrazak Al Adad, general surgery consultant at Saad Specialist Hospital in the Eastern Region. – SG