New to Market Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedure at St. Joseph Health

New to Market Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedure at St. Joseph Health Bryan, TX, February 4, 2016 – St. Joseph Health now offers a new option for adults who do not qualify for weight loss surgery. The ReShape Dual Balloon is an option for those with a BMI of between 30-40 who haven’t succeeded at weight loss with diet and exercise alone. The approximately 20-minute non-surgical procedure, performed by Dr. John Mason, is the first step of a 12-month program to a healthier lifestyle. Comprehensive dietary support and follow-up is done at Dr. Mason’s office and is integrated into established bariatric patient management, in order to achieve successful weight loss. Currently in the Brazos Valley, the ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon is available only through Dr. Mason’s office at St. Joseph Health. The ReShape Procedure includes individual nutrition and exercise coaching from Dr. Mason’s weight loss team, and access to the innovative ReShape Patient Portal that provides a unique experience as patients track their food intake, exercise and weight loss. The portal includes an online support community where patients can interact with each other and receive helpful tips and healthy recipes.   ReShape also provides patients with support tools including a portion plate to kick start behavior modification, a wireless Fitbit® scale and a Fitbit activity tracker that automatically sync to the patient portal. "The ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon gives patients a truly innovative and effective choice as a non-surgical weight loss option, but it is only part of the solution," said Dr. Mason. "With the dual balloon in place, partaking in counseling and access to the support tools we provide are crucial to helping patients adjust their eating habits and adapt a healthier life style for long term success. Patients can feel confident that my team and ReShape will work with them to take advantage of all of the tools available in the 12-month program." The ReShape Dual Balloon is a next generation technology designed to enhance performance of an intragastric balloon. In a recent U.S. study, patients that had the ReShape Procedure lost 2.3 times as much weight as a control group that received diet and exercise coaching only. In a study of the ReShape Procedure in commercial use in Europe, ReShape patients on average lost 32 pounds, or 47% of their excess weight at six months and maintained 98% of their weight loss at one year. ### About St. Joseph Health Established in 1936, St. Joseph Health is a faith-based, not-for-profit health system committed to excellence and compassion in caring for the mind, body and spirit while creating healthier communities. St. Joseph Health is comprised of five hospital facilities across the Brazos Valley, including St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, the region’s highest level trauma center. St. Joseph Health Medical Group operates more than a dozen primary and specialty care clinics around the region, offering expert care, closer to home. St. Joseph Health System is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), one of the nation’s largest health systems. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CHI operates in 18 states and comprises more than 105 hospitals, including four academic medical centers and teaching hospitals; 24 critical-access facilities; community health services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home health agencies; and other services that span the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care. For more information, visit chistjoseph.org.