Many people put forth their best efforts to improve their health, but no matter what they try, losing even a few pounds remains a struggle. If this sounds familiar to you, then you are not alone. Research has shown that individuals with high BMI levels require medical intervention to successfully achieve sustainable weight loss. In the past, medical intervention would mean having bariatric surgery, but today, thanks to medical advancements, there are safe and effective weight loss procedures that are done endoscopically.
Today, we will discuss weight loss options that do not require surgery, how they help with weight loss, and where you can find a doctor with the expertise to perform them.
What Are The Best Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedures?
Non-surgical weight loss options refer to endoscopic procedures that reduce the available capacity of the stomach to help an individual lose weight. These options currently include the intragastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) and may also involve using prescription medication designed for weight loss, which can be used alone or together with a balloon or ESG.
The two best non-surgical weight loss options are the gastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). These procedures help an individual to achieve weight loss by reducing the available space in their stomach and limiting their food intake. Their smaller stomach also takes longer to empty, which prolongs the feeling of fullness and teaches portion control and overall calorie reduction.
Intragastric Weight Loss Balloon
A weight loss balloon is a medical device that looks similar to a balloon and is temporarily placed in a person’s stomach to take up a significant amount of space. The doctor lowers the deflated balloon down the patient’s throat through an endoscope, and once it is in the correct location, inflates it with liquid saline until it is about 5” in diameter or similar to a medium grapefruit.
It aids in weight loss by allowing the person to eat only very small portions during mealtime. The patient feels full most of the time, which results in eating fewer calories and losing weight. Patients participate in a doctor-supervised program lasting a full year, designed to teach them strategies and healthy behaviors that support weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.
The balloon remains in place for a time period of between 6 and 8 months (depending on the type of balloon), but the program continues for the full 12 months, even after the balloon is removed. By making permanent lifestyle changes, such as sticking to a nutritious, low-calorie diet, staying physically active, and using their new strategies, they can overcome previous obstacles and achieve sustainable weight loss.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is done to reshape and reduce the size of the patient’s stomach, using stitches to hold its new shape. This procedure does not involve any abdominal incisions, and all the stitching is done internally, using a specialized suturing device inserted through the patient’s throat using an endoscope. After the procedure is completed, the endoscope is removed, and the patient is monitored for a short time before being discharged to go home.
During ESG the patient’s stomach is reduced by about 75%, and they will only be able to eat very small portions during each meal. Also, the reduction in their stomach size will slow down their digestion process and cause their stomach to empty more slowly. This will help reduce their calorie intake and keep them feeling full for a longer time, which will help them lose weight.
After undergoing the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure, patients receive ongoing support from their doctor and a team of professionals. They are supported with guidance on healthier eating habits, menu planning, exercise guidance, etc. They are also taught the importance of nutrition and making healthy lifestyle choices as well as some strategies to help them get through the challenges they will face in the future.
Medication For Weight Loss
GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, are prescription drugs that mimic hormones that are naturally produced by the body to regulate blood sugar levels and were originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes. These medications have since been approved for weight loss due to their ability to suppress appetite, slow digestion, and reduce the intake of calories.
These medications can be used alone as a non-surgical option for weight management or in combination with procedures like a gastric balloon or endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), leading to quicker and more significant weight loss results.
Endoscopic Procedures Offer More People Options For Medical Intervention
Historically, individuals dealing with obesity had limited options for help, which involved surgery with lengthy recovery times. These days, with modern advancements in endoscopic techniques, doctors who have special training can use a medical device called an endoscope to access the patient’s stomach without using any incisions and reduce its capacity. These endoscopic procedures offer a much better safety profile and do not require a hospital stay because they are done as an outpatient.
These less invasive procedures provide alternatives for individuals who do not qualify for surgery, do not want to undergo surgery, or cannot afford the recovery time required for surgery. Qualifying for bariatric surgery can be challenging, as there are up to three sets of prerequisites, including BMI requirements, criteria set by the bariatric surgeon, and requirements outlined by the medical insurance company. Endoscopic procedures are much safer and easier to qualify for, with most individuals successfully undergoing them.
How Are Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedures Performed?
Doctors do not use incisions during a non-surgical weight loss procedure, and they gain access to the patient’s stomach using a special tool called an endoscope. The endoscope looks a bit like a flexible hose with a hollow center, which allows the doctor to slide small, thin medical instruments down to help perform the weight loss procedure.
The doctor guides the endoscope down the patient’s throat through their mouth while they are lightly sedated, using the live-streamed video from the onboard camera to help precisely guide their movements. Then uses the endoscope to perform the remainder of the procedure.
Seeking Weight Loss Help Is The First Step In Gaining Control
Many people attempt weight loss on their own but struggle with a lack of progress and significant setbacks, leading to feelings of frustration and failure. This often results in them losing hope, returning to their previous unhealthy eating habits, experiencing further weight gain, and worsening their health.
Unfortunately, most people do not understand how complicated the disease of obesity is, and because of this, there is a significant stigma surrounding the individuals who suffer from it. Many individuals mistakenly believe that obesity is caused by laziness, overeating, or not trying hard enough to control their weight. While these factors can contribute to obesity, there are many underlying conditions and metabolic issues that can affect an individual’s weight.
Getting professional help for weight loss is no different than seeking assistance for other areas in life where you wish to excel. If someone wants to learn how to be a better cook, they might take classes from a chef, or when people want to run a marathon, they often choose to work with a personal trainer to prepare. It makes sense to turn to an expert for guidance when you have a challenging goal you wish to achieve.
Reveal Weight Loss Can Help You Target Underlying Issues Preventing You From Losing Weight
When it comes to losing weight and improving one’s health, no one should be embarrassed to ask for help; it is the smartest and most responsible first step you can take. The experts at Reveal Weight Loss can help you lose weight and keep it off by creating a customized plan for you that takes into account your needs and circumstances.
Most people do not fully understand obesity or how complex the weight loss process actually is. They do not understand how their metabolism works or how their body responds to different weight loss strategies. Many things can influence a person’s ability to lose weight, including:
- Thyroid issues;
- A hormone imbalance;
- Their genetic makeup;
- The metabolic adjustments your body makes automatically in response to your lower intake of calories and other weight loss strategies you are using;
- Lack of quality sleep;
- Not staying properly hydrated;
- Poor stress management;
- Underlying medical conditions;
- Routine medication;
- Lifestyle habits.
Weight loss doctors, like those at Reveal Weight Loss, are trained in obesity medicine and can teach you the strategies you need to know to help you succeed in losing weight. In addition, they can provide non-surgical weight loss tools to help you overcome the challenges that have kept you from losing weight in the past.
Where Can I Find The Best Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedures?
Losing weight can be tough, especially when you are trying to do it on your own. Achieving your weight loss goals can lead to major health benefits, like improved blood sugar control for type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure, better sleep, increased mobility, and reduced risks of developing chronic serious health problems.
The team at Reveal Weight Loss is here to support you every step of the way. They will create a personalized plan tailored to your needs and circumstances and provide you with the tools and strategies you need to succeed in your weight loss efforts. During your initial consultation, they will discuss your challenges and desired results and then recommend the best non-surgical weight loss options to help you reach your goals.
Schedule your consultation with Reveal Weight Loss today in New Jersey and learn more about their expertise and how they can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and improved health.
