It is important to remember that the FDA approval says more about safety than it does about relative effectiveness.
Bariatric surgeon Michael Feiz, M.D., F.A.C.S. cautions that patients should wait to see more conclusive long-term data before moving forward with the new technique.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 10, 2015
According to an article published July 30 on Health News & Views, the FDA has approved a new balloon-like device that surgeons insert into the stomach to make people feel full faster. The article notes that, while the idea behind the device is relatively intuitive, and the FDA has determined it to be safe, there is a lack of data that is needed to give patients confidence that this is a viable long term weight loss method. While early data does show it to be more effective than diet and exercise in helping patients lose weight in the short-term, bariatric surgeon Michael Feiz, M.D., F.A.C.S. cautions that patients should wait to see more conclusive long-term data before moving forward with the new technique.
Dr. Feiz points out that while this method of weight loss is meant to be temporary, there are already established methods of bariatric surgery that have been shown time and time again to help patients lose the weight and keep it off. While it is true that some methods, such as the gastric band, require regular check-ups and adjustment appointments to ensure that the band is working properly, other methods, namely the gastric sleeve, are wholly permanent.
Dr. Feiz also notes that, while the gastric sleeve and the balloon method are similar in that they are meant to limit the capacity of the stomach so patients feel full sooner, the sleeve has added hormonal advantages that the balloon - or frankly any other method of weight loss surgery - does not. One of the factors creating the powerful hunger cravings that sabotage so many weight loss efforts is a hormone called ghrelin which is emitted by the stomach when the stomach deems it time for a meal. Unfortunately, the hormone is often overactive in severely obese individuals who have lost weight and it essentially tells patients the body needs food, even though more than enough calories may already have been consumed. Thankfully, when part of the stomach is removed as part of the sleeve gastrectomy, many of these ghrelin emitters are removed with it, leading to fewer cravings in post-bariatric patients.
Any obese individual who has tried dieting on their own knows all too well the “yo-yo” nature of dieting where pounds seemed to be gained back almost as soon as they are lost. Dr. Feiz says that, until data shows that patients who lose weight with the balloon method are able to keep their weight low even after the device is removed, obese individuals should be cautious. Anyone interested in scheduling a consultation to discuss other, more proven methods of weight loss such as the gastric sleeve can call Dr. Feiz & Associates today at 310-855-8058 or visit the medical office online at http://www.DrFeiz.com.