The way we work today has put immense pressure on not just our psychological well-being but also our overall health and physical state. Whether it's facing grueling work hours or jetting off on back-to-back business trips, it makes keeping to a regular exercise routine and balanced diets a never ending uphill task.
The consequence of modern stress and a sedentary lifestyle is obesity and increased risks of cardiovascular disease.
Mr Smith (not his real name)* used to weigh 140 kilograms and as a result suffer from constant back pain and inflamed heels, which made walking very difficult. His job requires him to travel frequently and dine out often. His excessive weight soon became an embarrassing issue for him.
"I had tried a few weight loss methods – fad diets, exercise, pills, injections etc and had finally gone to see Dr Look to opt for stomach stapling when I found out about BIB®. To me, it was a less invasive option within a quicker recovery time," said Mr Smith.
"BIB® or BioEnterics® Intragastric Balloon System is a new tool in weight management, which is a less invasive, much safer and completely reversible alternative option to surgery," said Dr Melvin Look, Consultant General Surgeon at the Centre for Gut, Liver and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in Mt Elizabeth Hospital and East Shore Hospital.
"The BIB® insertion procedure is simple if the surgeon is experienced, there is no risk of a general anaesthetic and most patients can go home on the same day," Dr Look added.
With the procedure, the sedated patient swallows a soft, expandable balloon through the aid of a placement tube. Once the balloon reaches the stomach, it is filled with sterile saline and seals itself. The sealed balloon floats in the stomach and the whole process is completed within 20 to 30 minutes. As there are no surgical cuts made, the risk of infections or complications with the balloon procedure is much lower.
The only resulting discomfort is a feeling of fullness during the first few days following the procedure. Known as the adaptation phase, patients may experience nausea and vomiting as the stomach get used to the inflated balloon.
Despite the initial adjustment, most patients are able to achieve their desirable weight-loss results. BIB® has been proven to be successful in over one hundred of Dr Look's cases. "On the average, patients achieve about 30 percent weight loss within six months," said Dr Look.
Mr Smith has shed 6 kilograms within the first two weeks after the procedure which was a great motivating factor for him to keep maintaining his trimmed figure. Weighing 15 kilograms lighter than before, he now keeps to an exercise routine, eats in smaller quantities and has given up on drinking.
Commenting on how his life has changed after inserting BIB®, the determined father of two young children said he is ‘happy and still enjoys life'. Having a family with a bad heart history also makes him realize that he should not be wasting the rest of his life being big, fat and unhealthy.
Mr Smith would recommend BIB® to his friend and anyone who is overweight. According to Dr Look, BIB® is suitable for anyone with weight loss problems who usually has a Body Mass Index of 27 and above.
Click here to read the one-on-one with Mr. Smith »
*Names have been changed to protect patient's privacy
"Losing weight is easy once you make the first step. See how far this member has come. You can do it too."
To learn more about Appetite Re-Programming Weight Loss System, simply visit a physician near you or contact us today.