Obesity is a big beast to tackle. When it starts to give rise to associated health risks, it becomes a problem. There are several non-surgical weight loss solutions available for treating obesity such as medical weight loss, Gastric Balloon Method, and Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty. While diet & exercise doesn’t require any particular prerequisite, Gastric Balloon Method and Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty require you to meet a certain set of criteria. To get the best results, all of these methods demand doctor’s consultation. If you are seeking weight-loss solutions for your fight against obesity, the best thing you can do is to consult a weight-loss specialist in Dallas. Though a skilled bariatric doctor will evaluate all the ins and outs of your health condition, it could be beneficial for you to have basic knowledge about the options available. This is why, in this blog, we take a comprehensive look at the non-surgical weight-loss solutions. Read along.
1. Medical Weight Loss
An individual having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above is generally prescribed a medical weight-loss program as a first line of action against obesity. This includes a combination of diet and exercise. Based on your BMI and whether you have any underlying obesity-related health complications, your dietician will chart a way to limit the calorie intake. A common misconception about dieting is that cutting calorie intake all of a sudden will bring significant changes. However, this isn’t true. A successful diet plan aims for short-term objectives but with long-term sustainable goals in mind. It involves tracking the progress of weight loss through regular assessments. Let’s take a look at common steps that are taken for a common diet regime:
- Checkups to detect underlying health issues
- Thorough analysis of your previous diet patterns
- Formulation of an achievable diet plan based on macro & micro-nutrient requirements
- Modification of the diet plan (if required) based on regular assessments
When it comes to weight-loss solutions, diet & exercise are used collectively to bring effective results. While a diet plan focuses on limiting calorie intake, exercises are meant to spend your calorie reserves, stored as fat (adipose tissue) in your body. The worldwide debate revolves around whether to join a gymnasium or to exercise at home. Discuss with your doctor and a professional personal trainer to work out a regime that works in sync with your diet with the ultimate goal of reducing your BMI. To start with, your doctor might suggest simple body weight exercises such as squats, kettle bell swings, and lunges.
2. Gastric Balloon Method
The Gastric Balloon Method is one of the most effective non-surgical methods. Minimally invasive in nature, this method is generally prescribed to individuals that have taken the aforesaid measures but have seen the desired weight loss. The general procedure in a gastric balloon method is to insert a thin and swallow able balloon through the esophagus and inflate it to occupy a portion of the stomach. This is aimed at reducing appetite thereby promoting lesser calorie intake. The balloon is usually removed after 6 months.
The Gastric Balloon Method comes in two variations based on the method of inflation of the balloon. These are:
- Orbera Gastric Balloon Method in which the balloon is filled with saline fluid.
- Obalon Gastric Balloon Method in which the balloon is filled with gas.
When it comes to gastric balloon methods, it is only approved after the patient meets the basic qualifying criteria, which is it is always recommended to consult a weight-loss specialist in Dallas. Make sure to discuss all its ins and outs beforehand about the same.
3. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Also known as the ‘Accordion Procedure’, the Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is another minimally invasive non-surgical bariatric method that is prescribed when diet and exercise have failed to yield desired results. In this procedure, the bariatric surgeon deploys an endoscopic suturing device (a swift tube-like imaging instrument mounted with a stitching device) to create a sleeve inside the stomach, reducing its size, which limits the food intake and thus reduces the calorie intake.
This is a relatively new weight-loss method and is generally prescribed to individuals with a BMI of 30 or above who have failed to qualify for other bariatric surgeries. When compared with other bariatric options, the ESG is a low-risk, minimally invasive, and highly effective option. One of the key aspects of ESG is that the patient is free to go home the same day and can comfortably resume work within 24 to 48 hours.
The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, like other bariatric solutions, requires you to meet qualifying criteria, which is why contacting a weight-loss specialist in DFW is always in your best interest.
Conclusion
Non-surgical weight-loss solutions are out and out based on your BMI and the presence or absence of underlying obesity-related health problems. While diet and exercise (if performed and monitored consistently) can contribute significantly to weight loss, it does not work for everyone. If you are interested in finding the best non-surgical weight loss solutions for you, consult a reputable weight-loss specialist in Dallas that deploys years of experience to provide an all-around treatment.
