Imagine reaping the benefits of gastric bypass without the risks of surgery. Early results from the study of a new device are finding just that potential.

Weighing in isn't such a bad thing anymore for Barbara McMackin ever since she became the first person in the United States to get an experimental device called Endobarrier.

"Endobarrier is a sleeve that is placed without surgery into the patient's small intestine to help them achieve weight loss," said Dr. Keith Gersin, Chief of Bariatric Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center.

The gastric sleeve, or Endobarrier, is placed endoscopically through the mouth and lines the first two feet of the small intestine where it prevents food from being absorbed.

Early results from the study show patients who got the device lost more weight.

McMackin had the device for a three month trial. She lost 17 pounds.

"I did not feel hungry like I used to," said McMackin. "I could get into clothes that I couldn't get into before or had more room or more wiggle room, which was great."

At this point, the Endobarrier is only being studied as a prelude to weight loss surgery.

But Gersin says its future as a non-surgical alternative is exciting.

"We're looking at a market of between 15 and 30 million people that could potentially be helped by this," said Gersin.

Candidates for the Endobarrier trial had to be at least 100 pounds overweight and planning to have weight loss surgery. On average, patients lost between 10 and 15 percent of their excess body weight during the three months that they had the Endobarrier.