Mechanisms of action of the intragastric balloon in obesity: effects on hunger and satiety.

We evaluated the effect of a 500-ml intragastric balloon (Ballobes) on some aspects of eating-related behaviour and weight loss on nine massively obese patients. An 800-kcal mixed meal test was performed some days before, 2-3 days and 2 months after the implant of the balloon. A hypocaloric program was started after the second meal test. At hourly intervals, before and after the meal, patients were asked to rate the desire to eat, hunger, satiety and prospective consumption of food. After 2 months, weight loss was 12.0 +/- 5.1 kg. A significant decrease in the balloon diameters was observed, but none completely deflated. During the meal test performed 2-3 days after the implant, subjects rated themselves as significantly less hungry, fuller and desiring to eat less food. These patterns, however, returned to the baseline levels at the meal test performed after 2 months. No relationship was found between weight loss and reduction in the balloon diameters, nor between the latter and the changes in temporal profiles of eating ratings. The effect of a 500-ml balloon on meal-related hunger and satiety therefore seems to disappear with time.