Experiencing Ineffectiveness with Ozempic for Weight Loss? Consider the New Option of Stomach Balloons
Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a cutting-edge type of adjustable gastric balloon for weight loss treatment, as stated in a study published in the journal Device on December 3. Unlike the conventional static balloons used for temporary weight loss, this new balloon can be inflated and deflated on demand, providing a potential alternative to weight loss drugs and surgeries like gastric bypass.
Unlike the clown-filled party balloons, this gastric balloon is designed for engineers working in a laboratory to combat obesity. The fluid- or air-filled sac is inserted surgically into the stomach, mimicking a full stomach and curbing excessive eating. However, the human body has a frustrating tendency to adapt to new sensations, leading to the temporary effectiveness of traditional balloons, according to the study.
To combat this issue, the MIT engineers designed an inflatable balloon that can adjust its size, ensuring the stomach never becomes accustomed to the new sensation. As Giovani Traverso, a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a participant in the study, explained, "The concept is that we can have this balloon that is dynamic, so it would be inflated before a meal, and you wouldn't feel hungry. Then it would be deflated between meals." The researchers observed that the balloon successfully decreased pig's food intake by 60% when inflated before meals.
To manage the balloon's inflation and deflation, the researchers inserted the device into the pig's stomachs through an abdominal incision and connected it to an external pump via a tube similar to a feeding tube. In a human patient, an external controller would be attached to the skin. Traverso noted that keeping tubes in the body for extended periods is already established, increasing confidence in the long-term compatibility of this system.
Although this recent study did not record weight loss in the animals, future long-term projects are planned to evaluate the device's efficacy. Neil Zixun Jia, who led the study at MIT, stated, "The deployment for traditional gastric balloons is usually six months, if not more, and only then you will see a good amount of weight loss. We will have to evaluate our device in a similar or longer time span to prove it works better."
The inventors initially developed two prototypes for weight loss alternatives, both the dynamic gastric balloon and a four-armed device that pressed against the stomach wall. Trailverso observed that the balloon was generally a better distribution of force and suggested a safer long-term solution compared to the four-armed device.
With the whirlwind of popularity surrounding Ozempic, these MIT engineers have presented a potential future alternative for individuals seeking obesity treatment options outside of medications and invasive surgeries like gastric bypass or stapling.
The dynamic nature of the adjustable gastric balloon aligns with advancements in future technology, offering a promising solution in the field of science and health. With the potential to decrease food intake by significant percentages, this innovation could serve as a viable replacement for weight loss drugs and surgeries in the near future.
