Non-surgical weight loss treatments have far more advantages than traditional surgical procedures. They’re cheaper, less risky, and easier to schedule.
Unlike medication or bariatric surgery, these procedures involve a much shorter recovery. Some are even one-day operations.
Blocking procedures limit food absorption, restrict stomach size or change gut hormones to curb hunger. Restrictive practices decrease the amount of space in your stomach, while mixed surgeries adjust how your stomach and small intestine work.
If you have tried dieting and exercise but still can’t seem to get the results you want, medically-guided weight loss could be the answer. This explains the advantages of non-surgical weight loss procedures in this article.
In addition to the obvious benefits of losing excess weight, bariatric surgery can help eliminate or manage debilitating health-related conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Many patients find that weight loss and improved lifestyle habits boost their self-esteem.
Surgical weight loss isn’t suitable for everyone, however, and even with successful outcomes, patients often face significant challenges that can prevent them from maintaining their newfound success. That’s why non-surgical options are so valuable. They can provide the motivation and support needed to develop and stick with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Non-surgical weight loss methods are minimally invasive and usually take less time to recover than traditional surgical techniques. They also typically require a shorter hospital stay and have a lower risk of complications, such as infection or blood clots. Sometimes, the patient can go home the same day or within one to two hours after treatment, depending on the specific procedure.
Several non-surgical weight loss procedures exist, including gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy. Both approaches restrict the amount of food the stomach can hold, which helps people feel full faster and eat fewer calories. For the sleeve gastrectomy procedure, doctors remove a large portion of the stomach to leave a much smaller “sleeve” and cause hormone changes that promote a feeling of fullness.
Many of these procedures also improve the absorption of nutrients, which may decrease the incidence of problems like acid reflux, bowel obstruction, or hernias. Patients must maintain a strict diet and regularly visit their doctor to ensure they get all the vitamins and minerals needed to live a long, healthy life.
Lastly, these procedures are less expensive than surgical weight loss options, which can be costly due to the cost of the operation, hospital stay, and medicine. In some cases, insurance companies can be reluctant to cover surgical weight loss methods because they are considered cosmetic rather than medically necessary.
Contact your healthcare provider today for more information if you are ready to lose weight with a non-surgical procedure. The highly trained, board-certified physicians can help you reach your ideal body weight and improve your overall quality of life. They also offer comprehensive weight management programs to help you learn and practice healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Learn more about the services and schedule a consultation today!
Less Expensive
Surgical procedures tend to cost more than non-surgical options. They typically require anesthesia and have more associated risks than non-invasive procedures. Luckily, plenty of innovative medical weight loss devices can help you shed unwanted pounds without going under the knife.
For instance, the new Obalon device involves placing a balloon-like tool in your stomach via endoscopy that reduces your appetite. Another option is an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, which uses an instrument to decrease the size of your stomach. This technique is less invasive than traditional bariatric surgery and has fewer risks.
Surgical procedures also have the added challenge of needing to be covered by most insurance plans. Depending on the type of procedure you choose, this can add up to expensive bills you’ll be responsible for covering out-of-pocket. Non-surgical procedures, on the other hand, are far more affordable for most people. This makes them a good choice for anyone who wants to lose weight but doesn’t qualify for bariatric surgery.
Less Risky
Surgical weight loss procedures come with several risks, including the possibility of complications, infections, and more. Non-surgical procedures do not have these same risks, making them much safer.
Depending on your needs, consider the endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (ESG). This is one of the most popular non-surgical bariatric procedures available and involves inserting a removable gastric balloon into your stomach. Once inflated, the balloon takes up space in your stomach, which will help you naturally eat smaller portions and feel full faster.
The best part is that this procedure is completely reversible, making it an excellent choice for people not ready to undergo bariatric surgery. Plus, it can still help you lose significant weight quickly.
It can be very frustrating if you have been trying to lose weight through dieting and exercise but aren’t seeing any results. You may even be tempted to try something more drastic, such as invasive cosmetic surgery. However, non-surgical weight loss procedures offer a more comfortable and safe alternative that is just as effective at helping you achieve your desired results.
Easier to Schedule
Innovative non-surgical procedures are available for patients not qualifying for bariatric surgery. These procedures are performed without cutting open the body, which significantly reduces the risk of complications. This means you can recover quickly and return to your everyday life without extensive downtime.
It is not uncommon for surgical procedures to require weeks to recover from, which can make it difficult for patients who need to work or care for children or elderly family members. Non-surgical weight loss procedures are typically much faster to schedule and recover from, so they can be performed when possible.
Losing weight is suitable for your physical health. Still, it can boost your self-confidence and encourage you to keep up with other healthy lifestyle changes, like regular exercise and a balanced diet. By altering how you perceive a typical portion size, medical weight loss procedures can help you stay on track with your healthy goals for the long term. This will help you resolve comorbidities that can shorten lifespans and lead a healthier life.
Less Invasive
Surgical weight loss procedures are generally more invasive than non-surgical options. This is because most bariatric surgeries require a physician to make an incision in the body. The good news is that most non-surgical weight loss procedures do not involve making incisions in the body. Instead, they are performed using a long, flexible medical device known as an endoscope. Endoscopes can be inserted into the mouth and other natural orifices to give physicians a closer look at hollow organs or bodily cavities.
Intragastric balloon systems, gastric banding, and endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (ESG) are all non-invasive weight loss procedures. These are great for people who want help losing weight but may not qualify for or are hesitant to undergo bariatric surgery.
Non-invasive weight loss procedures are also reversible, which means that once the patient has achieved their desired results and established healthy eating habits, they can reverse their treatment. This is a big deal for many who worry about having permanent, life-altering body changes through bariatric procedures.
