Bariatric Surgery | Gastric Bypass Surgery | Gastric Banding | Obesity | After Surgery

Incision – free bariatric surgery gives a whole new meaning to having to “go under the knife” for weight loss.

More and more weight loss professionals are encouraging surgeries minus the need for incisions. How? They make sure of anatomical orifices such as the throat to insert materials and tools into the digestive system to stop obesity in its tracks.

But are incision-free surgeries really cutting-edge? Truth be told, they are still in their experimental stages but are showing some potential to become the descendants of currently used procedures like gastric banding, gastric bypass and the like.

Here are two incision-free weight loss procedures that are already being utilized in many weight loss surgical facilities:

1. Gastric balloon – This is a reversible procedure used in Europe, Canada and Australia but not yet approved in the US. Via the mouth, a deflated silicone gastric balloon is inserted into the stomach and then filled with air or liquid. It is then left in place to “crowd out” the stomach cavity, making the person feel fuller quicker and therefore eat lesser. It’s reversible because the stomach can function like normal again when the balloon is taken out.
   
2. Endoluminal Sleeve – Like the gastric balloon, it is inserted and removed via the mouth instead of an incision. It basically covers the upper small intestine where nutrients and calories are absorbed. It acts as a barrier to limit absorption of calories and nutrients, therefore preventing weight gain.