Minimally Invasive Weight Loss Options
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
3D liposuction
3D liposuction is another weight loss treatment that involves the destruction of fat cells, which are then discarded naturally by the body. The procedure typically takes 45 minutes and does not require any sort of anesthetic. Recovery from this procedure is almost immediate, but the patient can suffer from sensitivity, bruising, and numbness for up to ten days after the procedure.
The AspireAssist
There is a new weight loss device called the AspireAssist, which is one of the most controversial weight loss procedures due to mimicking binge and purge behavior. During the procedure, an endoscope (which is a flexible tube) is inserted into the patient’s stomach and essentially sucks out all the contents of the stomach once a valve is switched.
Gastric balloon
The gastric balloon is another weight loss option that does not require surgery. A durable lightweight balloon, designed to fit inside your stomach, helps take up space inside your stomach to make you feel full. This encourages the patient to engage in portion control and thus lose weight as a result. The entire procedure can be done in the span of thirty minutes and most patients leave the doctor’s office the very same day. The balloon remains in your stomach for six months and will be deflated and removed after weight-loss is achieved.
The LAP-BAND
Similar to the gastric balloon is the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, commonly known as the LAP-BAND. This system helps you lose weight by limiting the amount of food in your stomach with the use of an adjustable band. The adjustable band is connected to an access port under the skin, where it can be monitored effectively by surgeons. The band can be adjusted to loosen or tighten depending on your appetite’s reaction to the procedure. Patients who use this technique tend to lose 55 to 80 percent of excess body weight over one to two years. The procedure is minimally invasive as the patient experiences minimal pain, little to no complications and a speedy recovery.
The bottom line
If the thought of surgery scares you, there are plenty of non-surgical, minimally invasive weight loss options available that can help you achieve the healthy weight you desire.
