Weight Loss Surgery, No Scars

Non-invasive weight loss surgery procedures are getting a lot of attention lately. Surgeons insert the tools through the patient's throat, without incisions.

Incision-free weight loss surgery procedures include Gastric Balloon, EndoBarrier sleeve, Transoral Gastroplasty (Toga), StomaphyX and Transoral ROSE.

The gastric balloon, also called the intragastric balloon, is a reversible weight loss procedure. A balloon is placed in the stomach via the mouth. The balloon is filled with air or liquid, restricting how much food the patient can eat and allowing the patient to feel fuller with less food. The gastric balloon stays in the patient's stomach for up to six months, allowing the patient to get used to eating smaller portions of food and adopt healthful eating habits. Once the balloon is removed, the stomach returns to normal. The gastric balloon procedure is currently approved in Europe, Canada and Australia, but is not available in the U.S.

The EndoBarrier Sleeve procedure, or gastric sleeve procedure, is performed to restrict calorie absorption. The procedure is reversible. The sleeve lines the upper part of the small intestine.

During the Transoral Gastroplasty (TOGA) procedure, the stomach size is reduced by stapling the stomach from the inside.

The StomaphyX procedure and the Transoral ROSE procedure are performed only on patients who had gastric bypass but began to regain weight due to stretching of the newly created stomach pouch.

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