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.
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.
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.
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.
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
"THEY FAR EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS IN CARING FOR THEIR PATIENTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER SURGERY AND BEYOND. THANKS FOR SAVING MY LIFE I TOTALLY RECOMMEND DR. BILLY."
"I appreciate Dr. Billy for everything he has done for me, and most importantly, for giving me my life back."
"Dr. Billy takes excellent care of his patients. His staff is very well trained in the diligent care he demands. He made me feel safe in surgery."
"Dr. Billy and his staff are wonderful. I was so scared about surgery and they made the process easy, informative, professional, and personal."
"Dr. Billy was able to diagnose a problem that my regular surgeon was unable to solve after two years of guessing."
