Thinking Balloon? Better Off Dieting

A new review of nine studies has concluded that people who want to lose weight via intragastric balloon are better off just changing their diet.

The review is published in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a journal produced by The Cochrane Collaboration, an organization that evaluates medical research. The studies reviewed included almost 400 overweight or obese patients who underwent placement of a small balloon inside their stomachs in an effort to positively affect weight loss. Some studies included dietary changes, while some relied solely on the intragastric balloon.

In addition to the primary finding that by 24 weeks, no more weight loss was seen in either the balloon or the diet-alone groups, there also appeared to be weight re-gain upon removal of the balloon as compared to the diet group's continued weight loss over time. Intragastric balloons are not intended to be a permanent or even long-term weight-loss aid.

The research also demonstrated five times greater chance of stomach ulcers, erosion, or inflammation in the balloon group.

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