Caribbeanislands, which are highly influenced by the American way of life and more precisely by its bad eating habits, are being hit today by a new scourge, obesity. Dr. Rémy ROMNEY, a gastroenterologist, and his team try to tackle this problem at the very core and propose a new medical approach: the intra-gastric balloon.
Originally from Saint-Martin, Dr. Remy ROMNEY has witnessed on each visit home, the encroaching influence of obesity, a disaster which is affecting younger and younger patients.
“Eating habits are becoming alarmingly poor from early childhood. Morbid obesity (body mass index (BMI) greater than 40) has to be taken seriously”, the doctor explains. At present, Dr. Remy is leading a project related to the medical treatment of overweight people and obesity in Saint-Martin. “We must bear in mind that obese people are at much higher risk for serious co-morbidities: high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, joint pains, sleep apnea… Therefore losing weight has become a must. By reducing body weight in obese patients from 10 to 15%, patients can decrease or stop their treatment of high blood pressure or diabetes, both which are disastrous outcomes from obesity,” he adds.
Dr ROMNEY, at present suggests a medical alternative to gastric banding, the sleeve gastrectomy or the gastric by-pass (surgical techniques): the insertion of a balloon in the stomach.
The Intra Gastric Balloon
“The balloon is a less aggressive medical procedure (no scar left), causing very little discomfort within the first days, and with almost no complications. Today, it is the best starting point when you have really made up your mind to lose weight. The balloon is inserted in the stomach by means of gastroscopy, inflated with air or saline water, and remains in place for 6 months. It is removed in the same way – endoscopically. It occupies one third of the volume of the stomach, therefore reducing the quantity of food intake. It fits against the walls of the stomach and causes a permanent feeling of satiety. Because the patients are no longer hungry, they eat less and they lose weight rapidly,” explains Dr. ROMNEY.
The balloon was originally designed for very obese people (BMI over 50), but it is also used today for overweight patients (BMI 25 to 30), moderate obesity (BMI 30-40) or morbid obesity (BMI 40-50).
For the six months of the balloon insertion, patients ought to change their eating and exercise habits.
Inserting the balloon does not last more than 10 minutes and the whole procedure is done under mild general anesthesia.
To achieve a successful outcome for the patient, the physician is helped by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a psychologist, a dietician and a physical coach. The patient can find and get support throughout the whole period.
Interested persons can contact Doctor ROMNEY
• inGuadeloupe0590261948 romney@cabinetgastro.com
• or in Anguilla:HughesMedicalCenter: 264-497-3053 : hughesmedical@anguillanet.com
