Gastroenterology & The Gastric Balloon: The Best Fit For Baton Rouge

At 34.9%, Louisiana has the fourth-highest adult obesity rate in the nation. Over the past twenty-six years, the prevalence of obesity has risen by more than 20%. As these numbers rise, so, too, do the number of patients searching for a safe and viable weight loss solution. If you’re one of these patients, you’ve already taken the first step. You may have made the commitment to living a healthier life, but diet and exercise alone simply aren’t producing the results you want. If this is the case, the gastric balloon procedure—a non-surgical, outpatient procedure designed to jumpstart weight loss—may be the solution you’re looking for. If your BMI (Body Mass Index) is within 30-40, you’ve had no prior stomach or esophageal surgery, and you’re ready to commit to healthy lifestyle changes with the aid of trained weight loss specialists, you may be eligible for a gastric balloon. A procedure that is designed to help you look and feel your best, the gastric balloon procedure also boasts a number of health benefits. Whether a symptom or a cause, obesity is associated with many medical conditions, so treating obesity is vital to your health. The gastric balloon procedure has been shown to lower your risk of such weight-related health problems as

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Type 2 diabetes

**The two FDA-approved gastric balloons currently available in the U.S. are Orbera® and the Reshape® dual balloon. You and your doctor can decide together which most comfortably and effectively fits your stomach. Non-surgical, FDA-approved, and designed to fit comfortably in your stomach—a gastric balloon can be the perfect way to jumpstart your weight loss. But with the rise of competitively-priced boutique weight-loss centers, why should you turn to a gastroenterology practice? As digestive specialists, gastroenterologists use their medical expertise to help their patients live a healthy life. The gastric balloon procedure utilizes an endoscope to guide the balloon through your mouth, down to your stomach, where it is filled a small amount of saline solution until it has reached the ideal size for your stomach. Gastroenterologists are trained medical professionals who are board-certified in performing endoscopic techniques. After the initial procedure, gastroenterologists also provide personalized, comprehensive coaching to ensure patients are receiving optimal results. This all-inclusive program revolves around monthly meetings with professional who specializes in dietary and exercise programs. As members of the Baton Rouge community, they are devoted to helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle. As the only Baton Rouge-area gastroenterology practice to offer both Reshape® and Orbera® gastric balloon procedures, Gastroenterology Associates leads the pack with their O.N.E. Weigh program. The gastric balloon procedure could be a life-changing step on the way to your healthy weight. With twelve months of diet and exercise advice from specialists you know and trust, you’ll not only reach your ideal weight but have the knowledge and support to keep it off. If you’d like to learn more about the gastric balloon and the O.N.E. Weigh program, contact Gastroenterology Associates today and schedule a consultation. Find the right path with O.N.E. Weigh.