‘Balloon In A Pill’ Allows Patients To Lose Weight Without Surgery

BOSTON (CBS) – If you need to lose a significant amount of weight, there may soon be a non-invasive option. It’s called Elipse, or the “balloon-in-a-pill”, and it was developed by a company in Wellesley called Allurion Technologies. A patient swallows the capsule which enters the stomach and when the outer shell dissolves it releases a balloon. Using a removable catheter, the balloon is inflated with water to the size of a grapefruit, filling the stomach and reducing the amount of food someone needs to eat to feel full. About four months later, the balloon automatically deflates and is excreted from the body. Preliminary research shows it can help patients lose a significant amount of weight. Elipse has not yet been tested here in the U.S. and probably won’t be available for a few years. But one day Elipse may be an easy way for patients to take the weight off, while diet and exercise will help them keep the weight off.
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Dr. Mallika Marshall Elipse Source Type: news