Turkish Scientists Develop “Satiety Bubble” for Non-Invasive Weight Loss
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A novel approach to combating obesity, developed by Turkish researchers, offers a potential alternative to surgery, medication, and restrictive diets. The “external gastric balloon,” dubbed the “satiety bubble,” is demonstrating promising results in early trials, offering a non-invasive path to weight management for a broad range of individuals.
Approximately one-third of adults globally are now considered obese, with two-thirds overweight or obese, making Türkiye one of the most affected countries in Europe. Customary weight loss methods frequently enough prove unsustainable, and surgical interventions carry inherent risks. This growing crisis has fueled the search for innovative, accessible treatments.
A New Approach to Feeling full
The external gastric balloon differs considerably from conventional gastric balloons, which are implanted endoscopically. According to a leading internal medicine specialist, traditional gastric balloons pose risks such as bursting, nausea, vomiting, and even intestinal obstruction. “the external gastric balloon method is applied entirely externally,” the specialist explained. “It can be used easily by the patient. This structure, which we call a satiety belt, creates the effect of internal balloons without requiring any surgical procedure.”
The device, which has been in development as 2010, consists of a belt with a triangular-shaped balloon that applies pressure to the stomach externally. Users wear the belt from morning until night, experiencing a reduction in appetite and a feeling of fullness with smaller portions.
Promising Clinical Trial Results
Supported by TÜBİTAK, clinical studies were conducted at Ümraniye Training and Research hospital involving 100 patients. Participants were divided into two groups: one group wore the satiety belt without dietary restrictions, while the other followed a diet alone. After one month, the group utilizing the balloon experienced an average weight loss of 4.2 kilograms (approximately 9.2 pounds), significantly higher than the 2.2 kilograms (approximately 4.8 pounds) lost by the diet-only group. This research was later accepted as a thesis by the Ministry of Health.
One patient, a 42-year-old woman named Elif Çetiner, shared her experience. After gaining weight following a pregnancy approximately 14 years ago, she began using the belt after hearing about it in a radio advertisement. “I weighed about 90 kilos,” Çetiner stated.”I used this belt for about three months, and in addition, I lost 30-35 kilos by dieting and exercising. I wore the belt all day long and only took it off when doing sports. After I got down to the weight I wanted, I never used the belt again because I didn’t gain weight again.”
Broad Applicability and Minimal Side Effects
The external gastric balloon is designed for individuals aged 16 and older,with no apparent upper age limit. A medical professional noted that even patients in their 80s and 90s could potentially benefit from the method. Crucially, the external application eliminates the risks associated with internal balloon placement.”Since it puts pressure on the stomach from the outside, it has the same effect as the balloon placed inside and helps to lose weight,” the specialist explained. “It has no side effects on the person.”
Recognition in the Medical Community
The external gastric balloon method has gained recognition within the medical community, being presented as a paper at the European Endocrinology Congress and published in the journal of Life Science in the United States. This validation underscores the potential of this innovative approach to address the global obesity epidemic. For individuals struggling with weight management, the “satiety bubble” offers a hopeful, non-invasive alternative with the potential to improve health and quality of life.
