One of the first patients in the UK to be treated with a revolutionary new weight loss device has spoken to BBH about her battle with the bulge after shedding three stone in just four months.
The innovative ReShape Duo was unveiled at the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society’s 3rd annual scientific conference in Bristol earlier this year, heralded as a new, more cost-effective way to tackle the UK’s increasing obesity epidemic.
The ReShape Duo represents a real step forward, combining dual balloons with higher fill volumes for the potential of better weight loss
Designed by Southern Californian firm, ReShape Medical, it is being pitched at patients in this country, which, according to recent studies, currently has the worst obesity rates in Europe, with 24.5% of the adult population classed as obese, compared to 15.5% across 31 other European countries.
One of the patients already implanted with the device is 29-year-old Danielle Brook from Birmingham, who was 13 stone 3lbs when she underwent treatment earlier this year.
“I realised my weight was out of control when I was away skiing with my family and couldn't enjoy the activities they were doing. Then, to make matters worse, I ended up in hospital with gall stones,” she told BBH .
For Danielle, the skiing holiday was her ‘moment of truth', when she realised she had to do something about her size. She had previously tried many branded diets and weight loss programmes; eating at a certain time, avoiding certain foods, and not eating at night, but nothing had worked.
Earlier this year she heard about the ReShape technology and is now down to a healthy weight of 10 stone 4lbs.
The device is designed to comfortably occupy existing space in the stomach for six months, serving as built-in portion control and leaving patients feeling full and satisfied with less food until they change their lifestyle and approach to eating.
Now my body just craves fruit, vegetables, salad and fish over the takeaways I used to want before. If you listen to what your body is telling you, the process is easy
It is placed into the stomach during a 15-minute outpatient procedure under conscious sedation. There are no incisions, suturing or scars. Once in place, each balloon is filled with an evenly-distributed 900cc of saline and sealed, occupying 60% more space than a single balloon without over-distending the stomach. It also conforms better to its natural curvature to improve patient comfort during weight loss programmes, limiting early removals. The dual balloon design has also been found to help mitigate the risk of migration or obstruction.
After six months the device is removed through the mouth with an endoscope and then drained.
During tests in Europe over the past four years, patients, on average, lost a third of their excess weight during the six-month period that the balloon is fitted.
Brook admits that, after the initial procedure when the dual balloon was inserted, she ignored advice and guidance from the dieticians at the Healthier Weight clinic where the procedure was carried out and slipped back into old eating habits of consuming larger quantities of the wrong types of food, making herself ill in the process. However, despite this setback, which is experienced by many overweight and obese people, she was soon back on track and the weight is continuing to come off.
“The results are amazing,” she said. “It's worked for me and I'd definitely recommend it. Now my body just craves fruit, vegetables, salad and fish over the takeaways I used to want before. If you listen to what your body is telling you, the process is easy.”
Since losing the weight, Danielle has noticed significant changes to her general health. Her asthma is now reduced, her cholesterol is down, she feels much better and increased energy levels mean she can do much more than before her treatment began.
"I wasn't comfortable at the gym because I was so much bigger than everyone else there. I was embarrassed about my size, but now I am one of the skinniest in the class," she said.
I wasn't comfortable at the gym because I was so much bigger than everyone else there. I was embarrassed about my size, but now I am one of the skinniest in the class
The procedure is being exclusively delivered through Healthier Weight’s network of weight loss centres across the UK. Its medical director, Dr David Ashton, said: “The ReShape Duo represents a real step forward, combining dual balloons with higher fill volumes for the potential of better weight loss. It offers greater comfort and there’s a lower risk of early removal.”
ReShape’s medical president and chief executive, Richard Thompson, added: “We are thrilled to have played a part in making a difference for Danielle in respect to her health, wellbeing and general outlook on life, and we congratulate her on her efforts and success. Danielle's story is inspiring for all of us.”
