Intragastric balloon for preoperative weight reduction in candidates for laparoscopic gastric bypass with massive obesity.

Background: Laparoscopic bariatric operations can be technically challenging in massively obese patients. The potential of the intragastric balloon for preoperative weight reduction was evaluated in candidates for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) with super obesity.

Methods: From January 2004 to March 2005, 10 patients with super obesity who were potential candidates for LRYGBP were included in a prospective observational study.