Florida Hospital Tampa First Hospital in Tampa to Offer Comprehensive Surgical Weight Loss Options in One Location

Tampa, FL (February 22, 2016) Florida Hospital Tampa's Surgical Weight Loss Institute announced today that it can now offer patients a newly approved non-surgical weight loss solution. The Institute is among the first in Tampa and the state to include the FDA-approved ORBERATM intragastric balloon to assist patients suffering from obesity with a body mass index (BMI) of 30-40 in losing and maintaining a healthy weight.

The Florida Hospital Tampa Surgical Weight Loss Institute is the only bariatric center in Tampa to offer every type of bariatric procedure available Gastric Band (LAP-BAND), Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass, vBloc Therapy, and Intragastric Balloon (ORBERA). Each person struggling to maintain a healthy weight is different and by having all the weight loss options available, our bariatric program coordinator is able to help them choose the best treatment to fit their needs.

The ORBERA balloon is part of the ORBERA Managed Weight Loss System, a comprehensive, non-surgical, two-part program that includes a balloon filling space in a patients stomach to reinforce proper portion control. The balloon-like device is placed inside the stomach using an endoscope. The balloon is then filled with a saline solution until it becomes the approximate size of a grapefruit, taking up space in the stomach. Once inflated, ORBERA reduces the amount of food that the stomach can hold.

Data on ORBERA collected in a U.S. clinical trial has shown that the average person lost 3.1 times the weight compared with diet and exercise alone within six months. The endoscopic procedure requires no incisions, stiches or scars and usually takes 20-30 minutes to complete.

According to Dr. John Dietrick, Medical Director of Florida Hospital Tampa's Surgical Weight Loss Institute, obesity is a chronic and debilitating issue, and the more innovative treatment options available, the better equipped health care providers can be to combat this nationwide epidemic. We are excited to have another offering - this time a new minimally invasive solution that can help transform lives before their health requires more invasive treatment of not only their weight, but other co-morbidities associated with obesity.

ORBERA is considered a temporary weight loss solution and only remains in place for up to six months. It is paired with a 12-month diet and exercise program that encourages individuals to get in the habit of staying active, portioning, and eating the proper types of food.

Florida Hospital Tampa Surgical Weight Loss Institute has a dedicated Bariatric Patient Coordinator to navigate patients through their weight loss journey. Patients interested in ORBERA can call the Surgical Weight Loss Institute at Call813-615-7871 to learn more about this weight loss tool or any of the other surgical weight loss options available.