{"id":14220,"date":"2016-02-21T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2014-02-21T16:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.accessrx.com\/blog\/?p=14220"},"modified":"2014-02-21T09:00:11","modified_gmt":"2014-02-21T16:00:11","slug":"could-a-balloon-in-your-stomach-help-with-weight-loss-m0129","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/weight-loss\/xenical\/could-a-balloon-in-your-stomach-help-with-weight-loss-m0129\/","title":{"rendered":"Could a Balloon in Your Stomach Help with Weight Loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Excess
Excess weight and obesity are considered an epidemic in the United States.<\/figcaption><\/figure>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> says that more than one-third of adults in the US are obese.<\/p>\n

In 2008, the estimated annual medical costs for obesity in the US was $147 billion. Losing weight can be very difficult, with time-crunched schedules not allowing people the time to shop for and prepare healthy meals or engage in regular exercise. Medical approaches to weight loss vary from weight loss drugs like Xenical to gastric bypass surgery. In Europe, there is now a new medical approach: the Obalon<\/a> balloon.<\/p>\n

What Is Obalon?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Obalon is a capsule about the size of a large multi-vitamin pill with a thin tube attached. When the capsule is swallowed, the coating disintegrates to leave the uninflated balloon, which a doctor inflates with nitrogen gas through the removable tube. Obalon is recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or above who have not lost weight through diet and exercise.<\/p>\n

Once in place, the balloon floats at the top of the stomach, taking up room, making the person feel satisfied with less food. Up to three balloons can be swallowed over a 12-week period depending on the patient\u2019s progress and goals. Twelve weeks after the first balloon is swallowed, the balloons are removed with an endoscope. Though swallowing and inflating the balloon does not require sedation, removal may require light sedation.<\/p>\n

Scientific Evidence of Effectiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Obalon is currently available in Austria, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and Italy, and the manufacturer claims patients can lose up to 20 pounds over three months. Clinical studies were done in 119 obese patients. About half only used one balloon, with half receiving a second balloon, and six of those receiving a third balloon. One hundred ten patients completed the trial.<\/p>\n

Average weight loss<\/a> was 8 kg (17.6 lbs), or an average excess weight loss of about 50%. Effectiveness is roughly comparable to that of gastric banding and gastric bypass, which result in excess weight loss of 50% to 70%. There is not yet data on the long term effectiveness of Obalon. Gastric banding and gastric bypass have a longer track record for helping people sustain long-term weight loss.<\/p>\n

Drawbacks to Obalon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Obalon for weight loss isn\u2019t approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In the UK it is not covered by the National Health Service, but patients can pay around $3,300 to $5,000 to have the treatment. Some weight loss experts are skeptical about Obalon\u2019s effectiveness for long term weight loss. Tim Bean, a fitness expert in the UK, told CBS News<\/a>, \u201cWhen they take the balloons out, what happens is the stomach hasn\u2019t shrunk, so you\u2019re left with the same size stomach, or possibly even bigger than there was beforehand.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the clinical study, about 10% of patients reported nausea, with just under 7% reporting vomiting. No serious complications were reported, but 7.6% of patients requested early removal of the balloons. Patients should be closely monitored when using Obalon, and possible complications include<\/a>:<\/p>\n