For individuals struggling with excessive weight and related health issues, non-surgical weight loss procedures offer a viable alternative to traditional bariatric surgery. These methods, also known as bariatric endoscopy, are designed for those who haven't found success with diet, exercise, or medication. This article explores the various non-surgical weight loss options available, their effectiveness, and what to expect during and after the procedures.
Understanding Non-Surgical Weight Loss
Non-surgical weight loss procedures provide effective, non-invasive, and reversible methods for losing weight. These procedures primarily focus on reducing the stomach's capacity, promoting a feeling of fullness and encouraging reduced food consumption at each meal. This approach can lead to significant weight loss, with some individuals losing up to 35 pounds within six months.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 may find non-surgical weight loss treatments particularly beneficial. These procedures can be a primary weight loss intervention or a secondary option to improve or repair previous weight loss surgery outcomes.
Types of Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedures
Several non-surgical weight loss procedures are available, each with its unique approach to achieving weight loss:
Intragastric Balloon
One of the safest and most effective non-surgical weight loss techniques involves placing a saline-filled silicone balloon in the stomach. This simple outpatient procedure helps reduce the space in your stomach for food, promoting weight loss. The procedure typically takes about half an hour, and patients can usually return home within one or two hours.
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How it Works
The filled balloon acts as an inhibitor to hunger pangs, giving you the feeling of fullness and encouraging you to eat less, resulting in fewer calories consumed. Since the balloon can break, it’s often lined with a second balloon to allow you to continue with the treatment.
Types of Intragastric Balloons
There are two primary types of intragastric balloons:
- Liquid-filled: These balloons are expanded with liquid after insertion into the stomach. Orbera is the most commonly used liquid-filled intragastric balloon.
- Air-filled: These balloons are expanded with air instead of liquid. Obalon is the most common air-filled intragastric balloon.
Removal and Follow-Up
While the balloon is one of the best non-surgical weight loss procedures, it isn’t a long-term solution. A weight loss doctor has to remove the balloon after six months. The silicone balloon is reversible, so your doctor can remove the balloon earlier if needed with no medical side effects. Following these procedures, many people grow accustomed to a new way of eating, learning that smaller meals and more exercise can help maintain their new weight.
AspireAssist
AspireAssist is a non-surgical weight loss device that involves placing a tube from the inside of the stomach to the outside, allowing you to drain a portion of your stomach’s contents after a meal. This reduces calorie intake by roughly 30%. The device is inserted into your stomach with the help of an endoscope.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Sleeve gastroplasty is an alternative to gastric sleeve surgery. The surgeon places sutures along the inside of your stomach to decrease its size. A similar procedure, called gastric plication, involves folding the stomach in on itself and stitching it together to decrease stomach size. Both procedures can be performed endoscopically without any cutting of the stomach.
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What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Before the Procedure
The first day I came in I felt uncomfortable very nervous and undecided. The information and experiences nurses doctors and patients I received with every visit made me feel reassured that this was the change in my life I needed.
During the Procedure
Immediately after the procedure, you may feel a little groggy due to the twilight sedative administered by the anesthesia team. You should rest for the day if possible, as you may be a little sore. You shouldn’t need any pain medication, as you experience no significant discomfort from non-surgical weight loss procedures.
After the Procedure
- Dietary Changes: After the procedure, you will start drinking clear liquids. You will need to start tracking the food you eat and how much you eat. You are advised to cut up your food into small pieces and chew it extensively. You must give up carbonated beverages, as the acid can interfere with the balloon. If you insist on eating after feeling full, it may make you feel nauseous.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Following these procedures, many people grow accustomed to a new way of eating. They learn that smaller meals and more exercise can help maintain their new weight.
- Follow-Up Care: It is critical to locate a reputable weight loss center that offers a combination of traditional medicine and holistic medicine techniques such as lifestyle modifications, nutrition counseling, and minimally invasive treatments like intragastric balloon placement.
Effectiveness of Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedures
While research on these approaches is still evolving, studies have shown promising results:
- Intragastric Balloon (Orbera): One study found that almost 55% of participants experienced at least a 10% reduction in their baseline weight after the surgery. In addition, 34% of those participants maintained their weight loss 6-12 months after the procedure.
- AspireAssist: When used alongside lifestyle counseling, AspireAssist was effective at reducing at least 25% of baseline weight in more than 58% of study participants.
- Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: A recent study showed that the procedure could produce significant weight loss in study participants both after surgery and at 6 months.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach
Successful weight loss can be achieved in a variety of ways. Adhering to a patient-centered and holistic approach, offering minimally invasive treatments like intragastric balloon placement, lifestyle modifications, and nutrition counseling, matching patients in NJ with the most optimal route to significant, sustainable non-surgical weight loss for their unique lifestyle and comfort.
Key Components of a Robust Program
A robust non-surgical weight management options built around four key components: medical, nutrition, lifestyle modification, and physical activity.
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- Medical Weight Management: Medical weight management is for patients with a Body Mass Index 30+ or 27-29.9 with an obesity related condition such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. This program incorporates long-term engagement and proven strategies for sustainable weight loss.
- Nutrition: Weight Loss Center clinical dietitians specialize in weight management and obesity treatment. It is important to understand weight loss goals and current lifestyle so new habits can be incorporated that are realistic.
- Lifestyle Modification: Understanding weight loss goals and current lifestyle so new habits can be incorporated that are realistic.
- Physical Activity: As with all weight-loss programs, long-term success depends on the patient’s level of commitment to nutritional eating, intentional activity and exercise, and other healthy habits.
Finding the Right Weight Loss Center
It is critical to locate a reputable weight loss center near me that offers a combination of traditional medicine and holistic medicine techniques such as lifestyle modifications, nutrition counseling, and minimally invasive treatments like intragastric balloon placement.
Expertise and Comprehensive Care
Obesity medicine Diplomates are certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), as experts in treating obesity and the genetic, biologic, environmental, social, and behavioral factors that contribute to obesity. The UC Health Weight Loss Center demonstrates a comprehensive weight management approach by employing all specialties to help patients lose weight including nutrition, behavioral health, obesity medication, lifestyle intervention, physical activity, metabolic treatment, and bariatric surgery.
Real Experiences and Testimonials
The first day I came in I felt uncomfortable very nervous and undecided. The information and experiences nurses doctors and patients I received with every visit made me feel reassured that this was the change in my life I needed. 1 year later I’m extremely happy with myself. Completely life-changing.
Everyone is nice and helpfulI love these doctors and staff. I came here needing help with my weight and health issues and they did it. They did what many other doctors couldn’t. Everyone is nice and helpful no matter how many questions or times I call. Very professional and caring. They literally saved me and made my life better.
Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Options
If you and a doctor don’t feel that surgery is right for you, many other options exist for weight loss. For people with obesity who want to lose weight, there are a variety of surgical and nonsurgical procedures that can help people experience significant weight loss.
Extreme Weight Loss Considerations
When it comes to losing weight, a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week is usually recommended for most people. But there may be some situations in which a person with obesity needs to lose weight at a more rapid pace, such as to prepare for weight loss surgery.
Safety Considerations
Extreme weight loss without surgery can be safe and effective when done under the supervision of medical professionals. But extreme weight loss that happens outside of the recommendation and supervision of a doctor or healthcare professional is generally not considered safe for most people.
If you’re planning to lose weight through dietary or lifestyle changes, it’s always best to discuss your plans with a doctor so that you can get the support you need to lose weight safely.