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ReShape Balloon Specialist

Helmuth Billy, MD

Bariatric Surgeons located in Ventura, CA

An expert in all types of weight-loss approaches, Dr. Helmuth Billy, MD offers the newly-approved ReShape dual balloon procedure. At Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates, Dr. Billy performs the procedure for patients throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara, CA.

ReShape Balloon Q & A

What is the ReShape dual balloon procedure?

The Reshape dual balloon system is a brand new, non-surgical program to facilitate weight loss in obese patients. The dual balloons are inserted into the stomach where they are filled with saline and occupy space to promote a feeling of fullness. The balloons do not alter the stomach’s natural anatomy. ReShape is intended as a temporary device to jump-start weight loss. Patients need to follow a medically supervised diet and exercise plan in conjunction with ReShape to achieve and maintain weight loss.

Who is a candidate for ReShape balloon procedure?

The ReShape balloon procedure is a helpful weight tool for obese adults who have a body mass index (BMI) between 30-40 and have been unsuccessful in losing weight with diet and exercise. Candidates for the procedure must also at least more weight-related medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The procedure is an option for patients whose BMI is lower than the required 40 to qualify for gastric bypass surgery. Reshape Dual Balloon is intended to for use in conjunction with a medically-supervised diet and exercise regime. It should not be used in patients who have had gastrointestinal or bariatric surgery, as well as those, who suffer from inflammatory intestinal or bowel (IBS) disease.

What does the procedure entail?

The procedure takes only about 20 minutes and is performed in an outpatient setting under light anesthesia. The doctor uses an instrument called an endoscope to insert the balloons into the stomach via the mouth. Once inserted and properly positioned, the balloons are inflated with about two cups of saline and a blue dye. In the unlikely event that the balloons break, blue dye shows up in the patient’s urine. Six months later the balloons are removed in a similar outpatient endoscopic procedure.

Insurance

Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates is a preferred provider with many health plans including Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Health Net PPO, Gold Coast MediCal, and others. Dr. Billy is also a provider with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. You must contact Heather Jacobsen regarding bariatric surgery and insurance coverage. She can also answer questions regarding our billing policies. You can reach Heather by email at heather.jacobsen@drbillybariatrics.com or by phone. Please leave her a detailed message and she will get back to you. Heather Jacobsen, Insurance and Billing Specialist: 805-676-9100 x118.

Blue Shield
Health Net
Kaiser Permanente