The American Gastroenterological Association is recommending intragastric balloons as a weight loss tool along with lifestyle changes.
The new clinical guidelines published in Gastroenterology are suggested for patients who haven't been able to lose weight with traditional strategies, according to an April 6 news release.
Key recommendations include using IGB therapy to augment the effect of moderate to high intensity lifestyle changes, undergoing IGB therapy with proton pump inhibitors and taking multivitamins after IGB placement.
"Endoscopic bariatric therapies have evolved as an attractive tool for weight loss, however, less than 5 percent of patients with obesity seeking a weight loss therapy are aware of endoscopic weight loss options," Thiruvengadam Muniraj, MD, lead author of the guidelines said.
Read the complete guidelines here.