FDA To Consider Gastric Balloon As Weight-Loss Aid.

For many struggling with obesity, taking one of the newly approved prescription medications for weight loss (marketed as Qsymia, Belviq and Contrave) feels like climbing a mountain with a walking cane — it's a little help, but not enough. And bariatric surgery — a permanent replumbing of the intestinal tract that is expensive and carries the risks of major surgery — feels like a bit too much help. Related story: Losing weight quickly is just as good (or bad) as losing it gradually Related story: Losing weight quickly is just as good (or bad) as losing it gradually Karen Kaplan Could a water balloon be the solution? The water balloon diet sounds like a new weight-loss gimmick, but at its heart is a medical device: the gastric balloon, several of which are expected to be considered by the Food and Drug Administration as weight-loss aids in the next year or so. http://www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-sn-balloon-weight-loss-20141105-story.html#page=1