Kolkata gets new obesity treatment

To fight the growing problem of obesity patients in Kolkata can now undergo Intra-Gastric Balloon Implantation to get the desired shape.

Intra-Gastric Balloon Implantation is the latest technology that
promises to reduce weight quite significantly and is considered to be
a suitable alternative to bariatric surgery.

The technology is relatively less expensive and virtually has no
side-effects that make it quite useful for the patients who want to
get rid of obesity.

Earlier this year, Priya Munshi (name changed on request), a 28 year
old woman 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 72 kg (well above her ideal
weight according to BMI) underwent this surgery and within a span of 6
months her weight has come down to 59 kg.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Mahesh K. Goenka, Director of
Institute of Gastroenterology at Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata.

Mahesh K. Goenka also said, "This technique scores over some of the

other techniques because of less patient involvement as well as
simplicity and safety."

"In future we may have even more revolutionary techniques with
development of sleeves which can be placed by Endoscopy to limit
absorption of food. More interesting is the development of a capsule
which can be swallowed by obese patients and can be distended as a
balloon inside the stomach, something akin to BIB, but without the
need of any endoscopy," he said.