LEADING gastroenterologist Dr Harold Munnings has introduced a unique non-surgical weight-loss procedure that can be completed under sedation in a single office visit and is ideal for patients who need to lose 22 pounds or more.

Dr Munnings recently returned from training at the Westshore Private Hospital in Trinidad provided by Spatz FGIA, the New York-based company that develops non-surgical medical devices for the treatment of obesity.

Spatz Medical was founded in 2005 by Dr Jeffrey Brooks, a US board-certified gastroenterologist who invented the procedure. Dr Brooks conducted the training for three regional specialists himself.

The Spatz adjustable balloon system uses an endoscope to implant a fluid-filled balloon into the stomach with an attached anchor and valve. The saline-filled balloon occupies about one third of the stomach cavity, decreasing the quantity of food that the stomach can hold and promoting diminished appetite.

The procedure can be completed under sedation in a single office visit and is adjustable as desired.

It is ideal for those who need to lose 22 pounds or more. Treatment incorporates behaviour modification and dietary counselling to achieve weight loss.

Intragastric balloons have successfully induced weight loss in more than 100,000 people over the last 20 years.

Prior to the gastric balloon, the lap band was the only locally available medical intervention for those who needed to lose weight for medical reasons such as diabetes, joint problems, or cardiovascular disease.

“We introduced the gastric balloon to the Bahamian community two years ago,” Dr Munnings said. “This new procedure is an improvement on the original because the Spatz balloon is adjustable, as well as being minimally invasive.

“The balloon can be implanted for up to a year, which provides for an extended behaviour modification period that yields better results.

“It is also more appropriate for patients who are not suitable candidates for weight-loss surgery.”

As an alternative to gastric bypass surgery, lap band surgery and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries, the Spatz balloon treatment offers patients a safe, reversible and less costly approach to weight loss, Dr Munnings said.

“Average weight losses of over 50 pounds have been reported after a year’s implantation of the Spatz balloon,” he said.

He pointed out that the follow-up treatment programme helps patients learn new lifestyle skills and is critical to success.

“Patients will receive nutritional counselling at least twice-a-month while the balloon is in place. And during this time progress will be evaluated and patients will learn valuable principles of health, nutrition and exercise that will provide a foundation for long-term success.”

Patients are pre-screened for suitability. The initial implantation of the balloon involves a 15-minute out-patient procedure, and patients are discharged home within a few hours of insertion.

Obesity is considered a growing health crisis, affecting 70 million people in the US and 300 million worldwide, and causing increases in obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Obesity surgery has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality, driving the pursuit of a non-surgical weight loss solution.

Dr Munnings was educated at McGill University in Canada, at the University of the West Indies and at Bristol Royal Infirmary in England.

He is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Physicians of London and the American College of Gastroenterology.

He is also a member of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the Association of West Indian Gastroenterologists and the Florida Gastroenterologic Society.

Also practising at the Centre for Digestive Health is Dr Floyd Carter, a gastroenterologist who trained at the University of the West Indies.

He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Gastroenterology and the Association of West Indian Gastroenterologists. Dr Carter has completed special training in paediatric gastroenterology.