Obalon at Dallas
It’s not a magic weight loss pill, but the Obalon, Dallas gastric balloon system, Dallas sure does sound
like one.
Officially launching in January 2017, the Obalon, Dallas is actually the third gastric balloon system,
Dallas to be FDA approved in the U.S. It is, however, markedly different than
its predecessors in a number of ways.
What is it?
The Obalon, Dallas six-month gastric balloon system, Dallas is a
swallowable, intragastric balloon for weight loss. Unlike the other
FDA-approved weight loss balloons (which are filled with saline water), the Obalon,
Dallas balloon is inflated with gas.
Who is it for?
The Obalon, Dallas system is recommended for adults aged 22 and
older with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 40 kg/m2 who have not
been successful with diet and exercise alone. Unlike other weight loss
surgeries — namely gastric bypass and gastric sleeve— the Obalon,
Dallas system is not indicated for
individuals who are morbidly obese.
How Does it Work?
The procedure involves swallowing a small capsule attached to a
tiny tube that contains a balloon that is inflated with gas once it reaches the
stomach. No anesthesia is required, meaning the capsule can be swallowed easily
in the office. You drink a cup of water and swallow the capsule with the tube
attached, exactly as you would any other pill. Once the capsule reaches your
stomach, it releases the balloon. Next, your doctor inflates the balloon with
gas, then the tube is removed, leaving the inflated balloon in your stomach to
suppress appetite. The whole process takes about 15 minutes.
How Does it Feel?
The inflated balloons create a feeling of fullness, which is how
weight loss is achieved.
How Well Does it Work?
The average weight loss after treatment with Obalon, Dallas is around 15 lbs. In one study, those who
swallowed gas-filled balloon capsules lost 1.9 times more weight than their
counterparts who relied on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes alone. What’s
more, the study showed that the weight loss was maintained for 12 months.
How Does it Come Out?
At the end of the six-month treatment period, all balloons are
removed via outpatient endoscopy under conscious sedation (you are awake but
not entirely aware).
Is it Safe?
Yes. Nausea and stomach pain are the most frequent side effects.
Is it For Me?
Talk to your doctor about Obalon, Dallas and whether it makes sense for you. It may be
contraindicated in the face of some pre-existing conditions such as
gastrointestinal disorders.
How Much Does Obalon Cost?
The balloon pill may cost about $4,000.
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