North Alabama’s first intragastric balloon procedure for weight loss was performed at Crestwood Medical Center. CONTRIBUTED

HUNTSVILLE – Crestwood Bariatric Center has announced North Alabama’s first intragastric balloon procedure for weight loss has been performed successfully at Crestwood Medical Center.

Dr. Darrell P. Doucette, a general and weight loss surgeon, with Alabama Surgical Associates completed the procedure.

Crestwood Bariatric Center and Alabama Surgical Associates now are offering the intragastric balloon as a non-surgical solution to assist patients in losing and maintaining weight.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the ORBERA Intragastric Balloon to assist adult patients suffering from obesity to lose weight and avoid gaining back those lost pounds. In this scenario, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40.

Hospital official said the ‘balloon’ is a safe and effective weight-loss solution with 20 years of global experience and real-world results.

The balloon is part of a comprehensive, two-part weight loss program that does not involve surgery. The balloon fills space in a patient’s stomach to reinforce control of proper portion size. Patients enter an intensive aftercare program.

U.S. clinical trials have shown that the average person lost 3.1 times the weight within six months, as compared with diet and exercise alone.

Crestwood Bariatric Center and Alabama Surgical Associates recognize that obesity is a chronic disease. They offer new, minimally-invasive solutions to help transform the lives of patients before their disease progresses and requires more invasive treatment.

Alabama Surgical Associates is a general surgical and comprehensive weight-loss practice that has served North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley since 1998 (lapbariatrics.com).

For more information about weight-loss solutions available with Crestwood Bariatric Center, visit crestwoodbariatrics.com.

Crestwood Medical Center is a community healthcare provider with a 150-bed full-service acute care hospital offering the latest medical advancements and surgical and diagnostic procedures, while providing compassionate care. Visit crestwoodmedcenter.com.