Obesity is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. It can affect people of all ages, including both children and adults.
Obesity is not only a cosmetic concern. It is a serious health condition that increases the risk of several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The longer a person lives with obesity, the higher the risk of developing obesity-related complications.
However, with major advances in modern medicine, doctors have developed several non-surgical methods to help treat obesity and support long-term weight loss.
Non-Surgical Obesity Treatment
Non-surgical obesity treatments are designed to help patients lose weight without traditional surgery. These methods are usually performed using endoscopy and aim to reduce stomach capacity, promote early satiety, and help the patient eat smaller amounts of food.
Two common endoscopic options include:
- Gastric balloon
- Endoscopic gastric plication
Gastric Balloon
The gastric balloon is one of the latest techniques used to treat obesity without surgery.
During this procedure, a small balloon is placed inside the stomach using endoscopy. The balloon is then filled with a saline solution to reduce the available space inside the stomach.
This helps the patient feel full after eating smaller amounts of food, which can support weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes.
The gastric balloon usually remains inside the stomach for up to 6 months. After that, it can be removed safely using endoscopy.
Endoscopic Gastric Plication
Endoscopic gastric plication, also known as stomach folding, is a modern technique used for weight loss without surgery.
This procedure is performed through the mouth using an endoscope, without external surgical cuts. During the procedure, the size of the stomach is reduced by placing internal stitches in the stomach wall using endoscopic tools.
By reducing stomach capacity, endoscopic gastric plication helps the patient feel full sooner and eat smaller portions, which may support gradual and sustainable weight loss.
Benefits of Endoscopic Obesity Treatment
Endoscopic obesity treatments may offer several advantages, including:
- No traditional surgical incisions
- Shorter recovery time compared with surgery
- Reduced stomach capacity
- Increased feeling of fullness
- Support for gradual weight loss
- Can be combined with diet and lifestyle changes for better results
Treatment Plan
The best treatment option depends on each patient’s condition, weight, medical history, and weight loss goals.
A full medical evaluation is necessary before choosing the appropriate treatment. The doctor may recommend a gastric balloon, endoscopic gastric plication, or another weight loss approach depending on the patient’s needs.
