Simultaneous Intra-gastric Balloon Removal and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for the Super-Super Obese Patients-a Prospective Feasibility Study

The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of a strategy of performing simultaneous balloon removal and sleeve gastrectomy in the super-super obese patients. Forty consecutive super-super obese patients underwent intra-gastric balloon insertion followed by simultaneous balloon removal and sleeve gastrectomy 6 months later. Balloon insertion resulted in a reduction in mean body mass index from 69.3 +/- 1.4 to 62.3 +/- 1.3 kg/m(2). Simultaneous balloon removal and sleeve gastrectomy was achieved in 39 cases. There were no operative mortality and no leaks. Six months following sleeve gastrectomy, the mean BMI of the cohort had fallen to 54.1 +/- 1.2 kg/m(2). Simultaneous balloon removal and sleeve gastrectomy in the super-super obese patients is feasible as a single-stage procedure with good perioperative outcomes.