Vukman, 53, of Wilkins, Pa., was part of a nationwide medical trial to check the Obalon balloon system, which is designed to help people with a physical body mass index between 30 and 40 to lose excess weight. The clinical trial launched in 2015 at 15 sites around the country and included more 300 patients.
The participant swallows a pill that contains a balloon. Once in the stomach, the doctor inflates the balloon with a nitrogen-based gas, allowing it to take up space in the stomach, which makes patient feel fuller faster. Over time usually three balloons are positioned in the stomach. Combined with exercise and diet counseling, the system is meant to kick-start weight loss. Eid said at a press briefing Wednesday.
On average, participants lost about 7 percent of their total bodyweight. Those in the control group, who received a glucose tablet along with diet and exercise counselling, lost about 4 percent. Participants showed improved blood pressure and reduced their cholesterol levels also. At the Pittsburgh site, the 24 total participants lost an average of 25 pounds. Vukman, who received the tablet with the balloon, lost 50 pounds.
Vukman enrolled in the clinical trial about enough time she had began a fresh job as an IT administrator, and the stress of she was being caused by the adjustment to overeat, she said. Weighing in at 210 pounds, she experienced the first balloon devote her stomach in May 2015. Over another nine weeks, she acquired two more balloons devote. …