Losing weight can help you overcome obesity and related health issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or knee or hip problems. It can also improve your quality of life. But restrictive diets and challenging exercise programs aren’t always the answer. That’s where nonsurgical weight loss can come in.
Less Expensive
Many individuals who suffer from severe obesity experience health issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint problems in their knees or hips. These individuals are desperate to lose weight and address their health concerns. They often pursue medically-assisted weight loss, such as a lap band or gastric bypass surgery. However, they struggle to maintain healthy eating habits and stick with challenging exercise programs. As a result, they find that their efforts are unsuccessful. Fortunately, alternatives to surgical weight loss provide the same results as surgical procedures but without the long recovery periods. These non-surgical weight loss solutions are called non-invasive bariatric procedures. One of the most effective options is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). This procedure involves placing a small balloon-like device in your stomach, allowing you to feel complete with smaller meals. It also allows your body to absorb less food, resulting in significant weight loss. ESG is a safe and effective way to lose weight, reducing your BMI by 15% to 20%. It’s an excellent option for individuals who don’t qualify for or don’t want a more invasive bariatric surgery.
Less Risky
Invasive weight loss procedures are not the answer for everyone, particularly those with a lower BMI. But, some alternatives can help people reach a healthy weight and avoid complications like acid reflux, hernias, and bowel obstruction. The most common surgical weight loss procedure is gastric bypass, which reduces the stomach size and changes how your body absorbs food. However, this is only suitable for patients who can commit to significant lifestyle changes and ongoing support from a team of healthcare professionals. This may be a good option for you if you’re suffering from a life-threatening health condition caused by obesity, such as heart disease or diabetes. It’s also appropriate for patients who cannot lose enough weight through diet and exercise alone. For these patients, non-invasive surgical options are more accessible than ever. One example is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), a simple, minimally invasive procedure that can make achieving your ideal body weight more manageable. With ESG, the surgeon reshapes your stomach by creating a smaller upper pouch and connecting it to a more extensive section of the small intestine. The surgery allows you to eat only a cup of food at a time, and the upper portion has to be empty before the surgeon can fill it again. The results are similar to those from gastric bypass but with a lower risk of complications and a shorter recovery.
Less Downtime
Many surgical procedures require a lengthy recovery period, which can significantly interfere with your daily life. This downtime is exacerbated for those with careers, children, and busy schedules. Nonsurgical procedures do not have this downtime component. These endoscopic procedures do not involve cutting you open so that patients can return to work and other obligations much faster. In addition, because these procedures do not require a hospital stay or extensive medication, you are more likely to find a doctor who can fit you into their schedule sooner. This makes nonsurgical weight loss solutions more accessible.
More Accessible
Many people who have struggled with weight issues find the thought of surgery intimidating and do not feel they are ready to commit to a surgical procedure. These individuals may have family obligations, work commitments, or other life responsibilities that would make it impossible to navigate the four to six-week recovery time associated with bariatric surgery. For these individuals, nonsurgical options may be the answer. Some providers offer a variety of medically supervised nonsurgical weight loss programs. The programs include:
- Meal replacement plans.
- Weight loss clinics with state-of-the-art equipment.
- Access to a remote monitoring system that allows you to track your progress.
A team of professionals will help you implement your new lifestyle habits and maintain the changes through diet, exercise, psychotherapy, and other supportive services. The program’s dietitian will offer nutrition guidelines and vitamin supplements. The team may also recommend appetite suppressant medications or encourage you to become an abstainer by avoiding foods high in fat and sugar. Sometimes, nonsurgical options are available to reduce hunger and boost metabolism. The team will monitor your progress to ensure you are making positive changes and that the program works for you. It’s important to remember that changing your diet is the first step. You must eat healthy, nutritious food and exercise regularly to maintain your results.