Medical Innovation Treats Obesity Without Surgery

The Allurion Swallowable Intragastric Balloon: A Safe and Effective Method of Losing Weight

KUALA LUMPUR: The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in Malaysia is a growing concern, with statistics revealing that more than half of the adult population fall into these categories.

Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 Report

Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 report reveal 54.5% of Malaysian adults are categorised as overweight or obese. The findings reflect a continued upward trend over the past decade, with obesity rates having surged by close to 10% since 2011.

Experts Attribute Obesity to Sedentary Lifestyles and Unhealthy Eating Habits

Experts attribute obesity – which could lead to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease – to the sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits of Malaysians.

Alternative Treatments for Obesity

While a healthy diet and regular exercise can help with weight loss and management, some people may opt for treatments such as bariatric surgery to shed their excess weight.

Bariatric Surgery: An Option for Some

According to Dr. Nik Ritza Kosai Nik Mahmood, a consultant in gastrointestinal and obesity surgery, several bariatric surgical procedures are available, including vertical sleeve gastrectomy, mini-gastric bypass, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. All three procedures are performed using the laparoscopic technique, or minimally invasive surgery.

The Allurion Swallowable Intragastric Balloon

Nik Ritza notes that an increasing number of people are now opting for an innovative, non-invasive treatment – the swallowable intragastric balloon (IGB).

How the Allurion IGB Works

The IGB is a device inserted into the patient’s stomach via a swallowable capsule before being inflated with 550ml of water. It works by limiting food intake and inducing a sense of fullness more quickly, making it an effective method of losing weight without surgery.

Success Stories

Nur Amalina Elias, a 33-year-old civil servant, is among those who have undergone the IGB procedure. She lost 4kg in two months. Weighing in at 90kg before the treatment, she said, “I’m still young but I already suffer from knee pain, which makes it difficult for me to perform prayers. Moreover, my attempts to control my food intake were unsuccessful.”

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Aqilah Yunus said she experienced a remarkable weight loss of 23kg after undergoing IGB treatment in January 2023. From a starting point of 114kg, she now weighs 89.5kg. “I saw results in the first week itself. Over four months, I reduced my sugar intake while doing exercises like brisk walking and now I feel much lighter. Climbing stairs is no longer a problem,” she said.

Lifestyle Changes Still Essential

The presence of the balloon in the stomach makes the patient feel full more quickly, sometimes after consuming just a quarter plate of food. “When a calorie deficit occurs in the body, it burns more calories and fat, thereby helping the patient to lose weight,” he said. Patients must still commit to making lifestyle changes, including increasing physical activity and maintaining a controlled calorie intake.

Conclusion

The Allurion swallowable intragastric balloon is a safe and effective method of losing weight without surgery. With its innovative design and user-friendly procedure, it offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional weight loss methods. However, it is essential to note that lifestyle changes are still necessary to achieve and maintain weight loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

* Q: What is the Allurion swallowable intragastric balloon?
A: The Allurion swallowable intragastric balloon is a device inserted into the patient’s stomach via a swallowable capsule before being inflated with 550ml of water. It works by limiting food intake and inducing a sense of fullness more quickly.
* Q: How does the Allurion IGB work?
A: The IGB works by limiting food intake and inducing a sense of fullness more quickly, making it an effective method of losing weight without surgery.
* Q: What is the average weight loss with the Allurion IGB?
A: According to data derived from a one-year analysis of 486 patients who underwent the balloon procedure, after four months, patients experienced an average weight loss of 10.5%. Even after a year – despite the balloon no longer being in the stomach – weight loss continued to up to 13.7% of original body weight.