Effectiveness of repeated intragastric balloon therapy in a morbidly obese Japanese patient

Abstract

A 19-year-old Japanese male with a BMI of 55.4 kg/m 2 who also had liver dysfunction, dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia underwent repeated intragastric balloon therapy. The percent excess weight loss was 22.5% at the first balloon removal and 28.6% at the second balloon removal. The hepatic dysfunction resolved after the second balloon therapy, however, the dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia did not improve. The Japanese population is regarded as a high-risk race for obesity-related diseases at lower BMI values, and morbidly obese Japanese patients may need more serious weight reduction protocols to improve the comorbidities than similarly obese Americans or Europeans. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.