If you need help losing weight but want to avoid or do not qualify for bariatric surgery, a nonsurgical endobariatric procedure may be the ideal solution. It may also be helpful for people who need to lose additional weight while on weight loss medications or those who can’t tolerate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or other weight loss prescriptions.

These nonsurgical weight loss procedures are performed using an endoscope, a small, flexible tube with a light at the end which is inserted through the person’s mouth to provide the doctor with direct access to the stomach. Depending on the endobariatric procedure selected, different techniques will be used to reduce the size of stomach, change the way food is processed or reverse and/or correct a previous weight loss procedure.

Benefits of endoscopic weight loss procedures

Nonsurgical weight loss procedures have multiple benefits. There are no incisions, and recovery is easier than it may be for bariatric surgery. Some endobariatric procedures can also be reversed in the future, again using a nonsurgical process.

• Most endobariatric procedures take just 1-2 hours, and most people go home the same day.
• The majority of people fully recover in a week or less.
• Depending on the type of endobariatric procedure performed, weight loss averages can be up to 10%-20% in the first year.
• In addition to weight loss, individuals may also see improvements in associated conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and fatty liver disease.
• As is true across the nation, medical insurance may not cover the cost of an endobariatric procedure.
  • In most cases, costs must be paid out-of-pocket with detailed estimates shared in advance. Ask us about payment options.
  • Insurance may apply for certain people with obesity-related conditions, in which case we will seek coverage approval.
  • If you do meet the criteria for potential insurance coverage, we will send documentation to your insurance company to support justification of the procedure as a life-saving medical intervention.
• If you choose a nonsurgical weight loss option, you’ll have the option to receive the same comprehensive care provided to those who receive bariatric surgery. This includes support from a team of experts in nutrition, psychology, exercise physiology, endocrinology and any other medical specialties you may need for long-term success and better health.

Why choose Ohio State for your nonsurgical endobariatric procedure?

• We were the first and still one of only a few health care centers in central and southern Ohio offering nonsurgical endobariatric procedures, and our providers are well-renowned endobariatric experts.
• As a program within one of the nation’s largest academic health care centers, we can help with all the challenges and complications of weight loss, including the long-term support you may need to make positive lifestyle changes.
• Whatever your health concerns, we can refer you to a team of experts in nearly any medical specialty, offering care at convenient locations that are close to home.
• Even when your care is handled by different specialists, we coordinate treatments and communicate across teams, so you receive personalized care that’s matched to your needs.
• If we decide together that surgery is a better solution for you, we can easily refer you to our experienced team of surgeons who perform more than 600 bariatric surgeries each year, of which 95% are minimally invasive. To be considered for bariatric surgery, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more. To learn more, view this video.

Who qualifies

If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, you may benefit from a nonsurgical endobariatric procedure if one or more of the following is true:

• You’ve been unable to lose weight or maintain weight loss with diet and exercise alone.
• You’ve been on weight loss medications, such as GLP-1 inhibitors, and are not reaching your weight loss goals or can’t tolerate the medication.
• You’re not a candidate for bariatric surgery.
• You qualify for, but don’t want, bariatric surgery.
• You’ve had previous weight loss surgery but have regained the weight despite meeting the recommended diet and exercise goals.
• You’ve developed a complication from or did not benefit from a prior bariatric procedure.

Similar to bariatric surgeries, endoscopic weight loss procedures require a commitment to a healthier lifestyle, which include changes to a person’s diet and regular exercise to help them achieve long-term weight-loss success.

Endobariatric options

The endoscopy specialists at Ohio State offer different nonsurgical weight loss options. They can answer questions about each procedure and provide a recommendation on which might be best for you.