Weight loss pill with gastric bypass balloon in the works; see details here

• comments
• 
• 

A medical company is out to invent a device that will one day help people lose weight just by swallowing a pill.

According to CBS News, Allurion Technologies of Wellesley, Mass., has developed the Elipse, a gastric balloon that is designed to fit inside a standard capsule. A miniature catheter is attached to the pill.

Once the capsule is swallowed and enters the stomach, the shell dissolves exposing the balloon. Distilled water is then pumped into the balloon via the catheter.

After filling up the balloon with water, the catheter is removed through the mouth. Once the balloon is filled up, it will weigh 19 ounces.

Ideally, the balloon will fill up part of the stomach, making the patient feel fuller quicker. As a result, the individual will eat less food.

The balloon is designed to deflate on its own after four months and will be excreted naturally from the body.

Dr. Ram Chuttani is the director of interventional gastroenterology and endoscopy in Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. In a statement to CBS News he stated, "Because patients get used to feeling full so much quicker with the device, they learn portion control and get used to eating less."

"We anticipate that the improved eating habits patients develop will mean that a significant amount of the weight will stay off, even when the balloon is no longer in place."

News Wise states that a total of 34 patients were included in the preliminary study and had tried the gastric balloon. On average, the patients had lost 22 pounds.

There was also improvement in the patients' blood sugar and cholesterol levels due to the loss in weight.

The results of the preliminary study were presented Thursday during Obesity Week 2015. This international gathering focuses on prevention and treatment of obesity.

The use of gastric balloons to lose weight is not a novel idea. In 2015 alone, NBC News says the US Food and Drug Administration has already approved two procedures involving gastric balloons: the ReShape and Orbera.

In a talk with reporters, Dr. John Morton explains that what makes the Elipse unique from other similar devices is that it does not require the patient to be sedated or to undergo surgery.

With the ReShape and Orbera, both need to be inserted and removed from the patient using an endoscope. These procedures commonly require the patient to be sedated.

Most invasive procedures are also reserved for patients who are considered severely obese or have a body-mass index (BMI) of at least 35. CBS News reports that with the Elipse, individuals with a BMI of 27 are also eligible for this procedure.

The LA Times says the Elipse will be presented for consideration to the Food and Drug Administration soon.

Morton says the procedure will cost around $6,000 to $12,000 depending on the state. Insurance and health care will often not cover this procedure although patients can also consider using a health savings account.