There's a new weight loss procedure that doesn't involve surgery. In fact, this one, known as the Obalon gastric weight loss balloon, comes in the form of a pill. All you have to do is swallow the large capsule that's attached to a micro-catheter and once it hits your stomach the balloon inflates to the size of an apple, giving patients a fullness feeling. In other words, all that space that balloon is taking up in your stomach is supposed to get you to eat less and lose weight. How crazy is that?
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So what happens to the attached micro-catheter? Apparently it's removed from the mouth and the pill itself dissolves in the stomach, so all that's left in your system is the apple-sized balloon that's meant to curb your appetite. You can add a second balloon after 30 days, and even a third after 60 days. Doctors remove the balloons by deflating them first and then doing an endoscopy procedure, which requires inserting a thin, long tube through the patient's mouth. But does this thing actually work?
Clinical trials that were done in both the U.K. and U.S. showed the average weight loss on the pill to be 17 pounds in 12 weeks. Is that really worth it? It's supposedly made for people that would fall under the obese category. It's supposed to be a short-term and less invasive alternative to the gastric bypass procedure.
Sally Norton, a nurse who spoke to U.K. daily The Independent abou this new prodcedure, said:
I've been monitoring Obalon's progress over the last few years as I was very excited about the potential it could offer those patients who do not qualify for weight loss surgery but are struggling to lose weight and improve their health on their own. It has minimal side effects, is quick and easy to place and is really well tolerated.
As much as they claim that this balloon works and causes minimal side effects, I'm not entirely convinced. While 17 pounds in 12 weeks might seem impressive, I know people that have managed to do that themselves just by improving their eating habits and exercising regularly. The Obalon is still rarely new, it just launched in the U.K. but it's still not available in the States. Until then, I think I'll stick to dieting and hitting up the gym. A balloon in my stomach sounds a little too risky for me!
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