Non-surgical Weight Loss Methods and Their Advantages

Many people with obesity don’t qualify for or don’t want weight loss surgery. Fortunately, innovative bariatric endoscopic procedures that are not surgically invasive offer effective solutions.

Compared to yo-yo diets and extreme exercise plans, these medical weight loss options offer an alternative solution for patients who struggle to achieve lasting results.

Safe

Millions of people struggle with losing weight, often using fad diets and weight loss shakes that don’t deliver long-term results. Non-surgical weight loss techniques are safe and can help you achieve permanent results. These procedures have several advantages over traditional methods. The goal of non-surgical weight loss procedures is to decrease your stomach size to make you feel full more quickly, so you eat less throughout the day. This type of treatment is also reversible if you decide it’s not right for you. A few different approaches exist for this type of surgery, but endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is one of the most popular options. During this treatment, your doctor uses an endoscope with a camera and a suturing tool; your stomach is folded into smaller sizes. It is similar to surgical sleeve gastrectomy but requires no incisions and doesn’t involve removing a portion of your stomach. Another option is an air or liquid-filled intragastric balloon, such as Orbera or Obalon. These balloons are inserted into your stomach through an endoscope and expanded with a liquid such as saline. The balloon reduces your food, so you feel full more quickly and consume fewer calories. Both procedures require following your doctor’s dietary and exercise instructions.

Affordable

You may not realize it, but non-surgical weight loss procedures are less expensive than surgical ones. It is because you aren’t spending time in recovery, which reduces your medical expenses. Additionally, there is usually a lot less risk involved with non-surgical procedures because doctors don’t have to cut you open. One of the most popular non-surgical bariatric weight loss procedures is called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). It’s similar to gastric sleeve surgery but can be performed through an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the end. During the ESG procedure, about 80% of your stomach is removed to make it smaller and less voluminous, which helps you feel full more quickly. It leads to weight loss of up to 20% in 12 to 24 months.

Another non-surgical procedure is called AspireAssist, which has been FDA-approved for weight loss. It drains a portion of your stomach after each meal, helping you eat much less food than usual.

Whether you opt for a non-surgical or surgical weight loss procedure, the key to success is following a healthy diet and exercising regularly. 

Timely

If you’re trying to lose weight through traditional means — diet and exercise — but haven’t been successful, you may be looking for alternatives. It can be frustrating, especially if you feel like giving up. That’s why non-surgical weight loss procedures offer an option that can work for you. These methods can limit the amount of food you can consume. They can also help you stay on track with your eating habits. It is important because weight loss is usually a long-term process that takes time to see results.

Many of the newer non-surgical devices have been on the market for just a few years, which makes it hard to find data on their safety and effectiveness. However, they have been proven safe and effective for many patients. Your doctor can shrink the size of your stomach by wrapping a balloon-like device over it. It will help you feel full more quickly and consume less food. ESG is a surgical procedure that cuts out about 85% of your stomach’s volume, leaving a slender “stomach sleeve.” This surgery also causes hormone changes that further promote a feeling of fullness. These procedures can help you lose up to 35 pounds within six months.

Natural

If your struggle with weight loss has yet to be successful through diet and exercise alone, a non-surgical weight loss procedure may be right for you. At Henry Ford Bariatrics, we offer a variety of effective and safe weight loss procedures to help you achieve your desired results. These procedures are designed to be a long-term solution and can help improve your overall health.

Gastric banding is one of the most well-liked methods for weight loss. It is a simple procedure involving placing a band around your stomach to reduce capacity. It helps you feel full more quickly and eat less food. It is a safe, successful, and reversible technique that has helped many patients reduce weight and lead better lifestyles.

Another option for weight loss is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). It is an endoscopic procedure that reduces the size of your stomach by folding the wall of the stomach into a narrower shape. ESG is performed without incisions and requires no stomach removal, reducing the risk of complications. Another non-surgical weight loss option is an intragastric balloon. These devices are filled with liquid or air and inserted into your stomach through an endoscope. Liquid-filled balloons are available from Orbera, first approved by the FDA in 2015. Air-filled balloons are available from Obalon, which was approved by the FDA in 2016. These balloons help you feel full more quickly and eat less.