Orbera Intragastric Balloon

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UMC Health System is the first in West Texas to offer the latest in nonsurgical weight loss program: the Orbera® intragastric balloon. It provides a new option for adults with a BMI of 30-40, and a related health condition, who haven’t succeeded at diet and exercise alone and to not want or do not qualify for bariatric surgery.

The technology and design of the Orbera® balloon helps patients lose up to 3.1 times the weight of diet and exercise alone.

The gastric balloon is inserted orally through your esophagus and placed directly into your stomach during a quick, non-surgical procedure. The entire outpatient procedure takes about 20 minutes. It is left there temporarily for six months before it is removed and the aftercare program continues.

During the six months the Orbera® balloon is inside your stomach, it helps you reduce the amount you can eat and helps retrain your brain to better gauge when you are satisfied. You can expect regular face-to-face sessions with your treatment team made up of gastroenterologist, dietician and more. It is during this time that patients see the most drastic results, losing 20-50 pounds or more.

After you’ve had six months to change the way you eat, the balloon is removed. The simple, nonsurgical procedure is similar to the placement procedure and also takes about 20 minutes. We will then continue to follow up with you for the next six months to empower you to have continued success.

Today, more than 60 million Americans are believed to be within the BMI range of 30-40, many of whom have struggled with a lack of effective weight loss options. Fortunately, the tide is turning in obesity treatment, and Orbera® provides a truly unique, next generation treatment option that can deliver sustained results and significant life changes for patients.

Meet the Physicians who make this procedure possible

Vanessa Costilla, M.D.

Dr. Costilla is a native Texan. She completed her undergraduate studies at Rice University, before receiving her medical degree at the Texas Tech University School of Medicine. She then went on to complete an Internal Medicine Residency at Mayo Clinic and Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center. She is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Her medical interests include management of chronic diseases and chronic constipation.

Hamed Al-Tammimi, M.D.

Dr. Al-Tamimi is from Palestine. He completed his medical education at Jordan University School of Medicine, before becoming a resident of Internal Medicine at Al-Ahli Hospital in Palestine. After that, he moved to the U.S. and pursued an internship in internal medicine at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York. He then came to Texas Tech to accomplish an Internal Medicine residency and a Fellowship in Gastroenterology. He is passionate about your gastroenterological and hepatological care, as well as your nutritional health.

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