EnteroMedics, the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity, metabolic diseases and other gastrointestinal disorders, announced that the McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Richmond VAMC) in Richmond, VA successfully completed its first implant of the company's vBloc Neurometabolic Therapy. The surgery was performed earlier this week by James Maher, MD.

"Obesity and its comorbidities must be addressed in order to live a healthier and fuller life," said Dr. Maher. "Providing the best medical options to combat morbid obesity to the men and women who have served our country is a top priority and with vBloc Therapy available at the Richmond VAMC, we are now able to provide a safe and effective alternative to invasive, anatomy-altering and restricting procedures. There are well over one million veterans with obesity and the Richmond VAMC is committed to helping those in our communities succeed in their fight against obesity."

The vBloc System works to control sensations of hunger using a pacemaker-like device that is implanted under the skin during a safe, minimally-invasive procedure that does not alter or remove any patient anatomy. The device can be adjusted to optimize patients' therapy needs and works to give the patient a sensation of fullness, empowering them to eat less, control their appetite, and lose weight. Studies have shown that vBloc Therapy produces meaningful weight loss in patients as well as meaningful improvements in related comorbidity factors, such as HbA1c, without the major lifestyle implications of traditional weight loss surgeries.

"One in ten Virginians is a veteran and the State has the fastest growing veterans' population in the Nation," said Dan Gladney, EnteroMedics president, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board. "With our first implant at the Richmond VAMC, we are making vBloc accessible to an even larger portion of the men and women who have served our country selflessly and are in need of solutions to address their obesity. Through our previously announced partnership with Academy Medical, eligible veterans are able to receive vBloc Therapy at little to no cost. We look forward to working with other VA medical centers and VA Choice facilities so they can offer this state-of-the art weight loss treatment."

vBloc Therapy is approved for use in helping with weight loss in people aged 18 years and older who are obese, with a BMI of 40 to 45 kg/m2, or a BMI of 35 to 39.9 kg/m2 with a related health condition such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or obstructive sleep apnea who have had a poor response to trying to lose weight under supervision in the last 5 years.