People in Northeast Georgia with mild to moderate obesity have a new, non-surgical treatment option available to help them lose weight. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) is now offering the ReShape® Integrated Dual Balloon System, a first-of-its-kind weight loss procedure that can provide more than twice the weight loss of diet and exercise alone.
“Since the early 1980s, obesity has been increasing at an alarming rate while, at the same time, there have been very few non-invasive treatment options available,” said Alex C. Nguyen, MD, medical director of bariatric surgery at NGMC and the surgeon who performed the first ReShape procedure at NGMC last month. “The ReShape procedure provides a new option for people who do not want to have surgery, but need a treatment option that is more robust than strict dietary programs alone.”
The ReShape procedure is a reversible treatment option for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 40, who have a related health condition and need an additional tool beyond diet and exercise to help them lose weight. The ReShape Dual Balloon is inserted into the stomach during a short, outpatient procedure. It remains in the stomach for six months, serving as built-in portion control so people may feel full and less hungry. During this time and for six months after ReShape is removed, patients receive in-office diet and exercise coaching sessions, assistance with tracking progress and access to an online support community where patients can interact with each other, encouraging long-term results.
“People who struggle with a lack of effective weight loss treatment options can take comfort knowing there is another procedure available to help them lose weight,” said Sue Bunnell, RN, manager of Bariatric Weight Loss at NGMC. “Having a medical treatment option available can be life-changing for those who are obese, and we are pleased to offer this procedure to our patients.”
The ReShape procedure is currently offered at NGMC Braselton, with plans to offer it at NGMC Gainesville in the future.
For more information about Bariatric Weight Loss Services at NGMC, call 770-219-0446 or visit nghs.com/bariatrics.
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ABOUT NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER
Since 1951, Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has been on a mission of improving the health of our community in all we do. With hospitals located in Gainesville, Braselton and Barrow – the three NGMC campuses have a total of 713 beds and more than 700 medical staff members representing more than 50 specialties. NGMC is part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit that cares for almost 1 million people across more than 18 counties. Learn more at nghs.com.