Bariatric surgery & gastric balloon research
Dr. Trace Curry has coauthored clinical research on outpatient sleeve gastrectomy, gastric balloon outcomes and aftercare, gastric bypass, and long-term gastric band outcomes. Dr. Curry and JourneyLite have also contributed to multicenter clinical studies, including four post-approval gastric balloon programs and the LAP-BAND APEX study.
This research library connects those contributions to their original publications and study records. Each entry explains Dr. Curry’s or JourneyLite’s documented role and what the research helps patients understand.
Published work
Peer-reviewed journal publications
The six articles below list Dr. Curry as an individual coauthor. Full author lists, methods, results, funding, and disclosures are available through the linked records.
2019 · Gastric balloon aftercare
Effectiveness of Online Aftercare Programs Following Intragastric Balloon Placement for Obesity Is Similar to Traditional Follow-up: a Large Propensity Matched US Multicenter Study
This observational study examined follow-up programs for 758 patients across 78 US practices. It helps frame questions about structured support after balloon placement, including access to online aftercare.
This was an observational comparison, so differences between patient groups may affect the findings. Some patients also appear in the 2018 balloon study below. Structured online support remains part of a broader clinical follow-up plan.
PubMed record · Read full text · DOI: 10.1007/s11695-019-04102-0
2018 · Gastric balloon outcomes
Single Fluid-Filled Intragastric Balloon Safe and Effective for Inducing Weight Loss in a Real-World Population
This multicenter observational study evaluated ORBERA treatment in 321 patients at eight centers. It contributes evidence about weight loss and treatment tolerance in clinical practice.
These findings concern the device, patients, and program studied. They are not a guarantee of individual results or device-specific evidence for other balloon systems.
PubMed record · Read full text · DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.01.046
2018 · Outpatient sleeve gastrectomy
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a viable option for an ambulatory surgical procedure: our 52-month experience
This retrospective series reported on 821 patients treated from 2011 through 2015, with assessment of short-term outcomes. It contributes to the discussion of patient selection and care pathways for outpatient sleeve surgery.
The results reflect a particular program and historical patient group. They are not current audited JourneyLite outcome rates, and later research has reported differing findings about same-day discharge.
2018 · Long-term gastric band outcomes
Health Outcomes and Explant Rates After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: A Phase 4, Multicenter Study over 5 Years
This five-year report from the HERO study examined health outcomes and band removal in a multicenter cohort of 652 patients. It is relevant to understanding long-term follow-up after gastric banding.
HERO is a separate study from APEX. Historical band outcomes should be considered alongside a patient’s current symptoms, band history, and available treatment options.
2014 · Same-day sleeve discharge
Same-day discharge after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: our initial experience
This early report describes experience with same-day discharge after sleeve gastrectomy. It forms part of the developing literature on outpatient bariatric care; an initial experience report cannot establish suitability for every patient or setting.
2008 · Gastric bypass techniques
Comparing outcomes of hand-assisted versus total laparoscopic gastric bypass
This study compared two approaches to laparoscopic gastric bypass. It documents Dr. Curry’s early involvement in bariatric outcomes research and should be read in the context of surgical practice at the time.
How the work informs the literature
Selected citations in guidelines and later research
Other researchers have cited papers coauthored by Dr. Curry in guidelines, clinical studies, and systematic reviews. These examples show how the work has entered the medical literature. A citation does not necessarily indicate agreement, an endorsement of JourneyLite, or authorship of the citing publication.
- Multisociety bariatric perioperative care guidelines, 2019 update (published 2020). The guidelines cite the 2018 ORBERA outcomes paper in reference 288. The guidelines were cosponsored by AACE/ACE, The Obesity Society, ASMBS, the Obesity Medicine Association, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Read the guidelines and references.
- Endoscopic Treatment of Obesity and Nutritional Aspects of Bariatric Endoscopy (2021). This review discusses the 2018 ORBERA study and cites it in reference 32. Read the review.
- Remote patient monitoring to facilitate same-day discharge after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a pilot evaluation (2023). Reference 11 cites the 2018 outpatient sleeve paper. The discussion also considers conflicting findings from larger databases. Read the study.
- A Prospective Multicenter Standard of Care Study of Outpatient Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (2024). This later multicenter study cites the 2018 outpatient sleeve paper in reference 18. Read the study.
- Health coach–led, text-based digital behavior change intervention following a procedureless gastric balloon (2024). This study cites the 2019 balloon aftercare paper in reference 56 when discussing follow-up support. Read the study.
- Remote Patient Monitoring Following Same-Day Discharge Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2025). References 17 and 21 cite the 2018 and 2014 sleeve papers, respectively. Read the review and references.
- Experienced Weight Stigma Changes Following Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2026). Reference 55 cites the 2018 five-year gastric band study. Read the review.
- Same-Day Discharge after Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: Methodological Heterogeneity, Discharge Success Rates and 30-Day Safety Outcomes — A Systematic Review (2026). Reference 33 cites the 2018 outpatient sleeve paper. This review examines differences in study methods, patient selection, and discharge outcomes. Read the review and references.
Multicenter research participation
Clinical studies and post-approval balloon programs
JourneyLite participated in post-approval studies of ORBERA, ReShape, Obalon, and Spatz3 gastric balloons. The records below distinguish participation as a study site from an individual investigator or publication-author role.
Study began 2007 · Gastric band
LAP-BAND AP Early Experience Trial (APEX)
Role: JourneyLite participated; Dr. Curry is named as an APEX Study Group collaborator in the 2012 publication on gastric banding, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and quality of life.
APEX was an observational evaluation of the LAP-BAND AP system, with overall study dates of June 2007–November 2013. The collaborator credit is distinct from being an individually named byline author.
APEX · NCT00501085 · 2012 publication and collaborator list · DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2012.666962
Study began 2016 · Post-approval
ORBERA · OPAS-1
Role: Dr. Trace Curry is acknowledged as an OPAS-1 study investigator in the resulting 2020 publication. The registry lists Cincinnati’s Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
This post-marketing study evaluated safety and effectiveness following commercial approval. The registry lists the study as completed. Dr. Curry’s contribution is credited in the acknowledgments, rather than the report’s three-author byline.
ORBERA · NCT02828657 · 2020 report · DOI: 10.1007/s11695-020-04798-5 · FDA post-approval study record
Study began 2016 · Post-approval
ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon
Role: JourneyLite Physicians, Cincinnati, is listed as a participating study site.
The program studied the dual-balloon system after approval. The registry status is listed as unknown; this historical entry does not establish current recruitment or device availability.
Study began 2018 · Post-approval
Obalon Balloon System
Role: JourneyLite Physicians, Cincinnati, is listed as a participating study site.
This post-approval program studied the Obalon balloon system. The registry status is listed as unknown. Site participation is distinct from overall study leadership.
Study began 2021 · Post-approval
Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon System
Role: JourneyLite Physicians, Cincinnati, is listed as a participating study site.
This program studied the adjustable gastric balloon following approval. The registry lists the study as completed. The linked record documents JourneyLite’s participation as a study site.
What post-approval research means: These studies examine a medical device after its initial regulatory approval, helping develop additional evidence about safety and performance. Participation in a study does not mean the FDA endorses a physician or practice. Current treatment availability and suitability are separate from historical study participation.
Scientific meetings
Conference contributions
Conference abstracts provide a record of work shared at scientific meetings. They are listed separately from full-length journal articles.
2017 · Balloon tolerance
Intragastric Balloon Intolerance: A Retrospective Review of 100 Patients Treated With Two Different Devices
This abstract addresses tolerance of two balloon devices. Its brief conference format provides less methodological detail than a full-length study.
2016 · Dual-balloon experience
Early Experience with Intragastric Dual Balloon as Treatment for Obesity
This conference contribution describes early clinical experience with dual-balloon treatment. Early experience should not be interpreted as long-term comparative evidence.
ASMBS abstract book (PDF), A141 · DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2016.08.069
Putting research in the context of your care
Published research helps patients ask better questions about treatment selection, risks, expected outcomes, and follow-up. A consultation brings that evidence together with your medical history and goals.