The present invention provides methods of treating
overweight or obese patients with an
inflatable weight control device that is implanted in the patient's
digestive tract. A first method comprises the steps of providing the
weight control device which includes an
inflatable body having a first
bulb, a second
bulb, an intermediate portion, and an internal passageway extending from the first
bulb through the intermediate portion and to the second bulb. The
inflatable body includes a valve
assembly that is grasped by the
endoscope during
insertion of the
weight control device in the patient's
pylorus. Next, the
endoscope is used to position the weight control device within the
pylorus such that the intermediate portion resides within the pyloric valve and the first bulb resides within the pyloric
antrum. The weight control device is then inflated with the
endoscope such that the first bulb engages an inner surface of the pyloric
antrum to form an outlet obstruction within the pyloric
antrum. This obstruction causes chyme to accumulate
proximate the first bulb prior to entering the internal passageway where it is then transported through the body and discharged from the second bulb into the patient's
duodenum. The accumulation of chyme in pyloric antrum and the
stomach causes the patient to feel full and stop eating. Thus, the treatment method provides a gastric outlet obstruction that slows the passage of chyme into the
duodenum and as a result, the patient feels full and stops eating after consuming relatively small portions.