Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOutpatient ProceduresReasons for AlternativesInsurance CoverageSupport and Resources
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Outpatient Procedures
Reasons for Alternatives
Insurance Coverage
Support and Resources
Weight loss is a complex process that often requires a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and outpatient procedures. Bariatric (weight loss) surgeries are highly effective, but many people opt for other weight loss options due to the associated costs, commitment, and risks.
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Weight Loss Outpatient Procedures and Interventions
Endoscopicweight loss procedures are minimally invasive outpatient interventions. Before the procedure, you will get medicine to make you sleepy. The healthcare provider uses an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) to reach your stomach through your esophagus.Below are examples of standard endoscopic weight loss procedures and their pros and cons.
Intragastric Balloons
A healthcare provider places an intragastric balloon, like Orbera or Obalon, in your stomach and fills it with liquid or air to help you feel full sooner.
ProsAverage weight loss of 29% within a yearQuick recoveryTemporaryConsA year of medical supervisionPotential upset stomachRequires removal after a few months
ProsAverage weight loss of 29% within a yearQuick recoveryTemporary
Average weight loss of 29% within a year
Quick recovery
Temporary
ConsA year of medical supervisionPotential upset stomachRequires removal after a few months
A year of medical supervision
Potential upset stomach
Requires removal after a few months
Aspiration Therapy
ProsAdjustable drainage rateMinimally invasivePromotes gradual weight lossConsPotential for misusePotential side effects like heartburnRisk of infection
ProsAdjustable drainage rateMinimally invasivePromotes gradual weight loss
Adjustable drainage rate
Minimally invasive
Promotes gradual weight loss
ConsPotential for misusePotential side effects like heartburnRisk of infection
Potential for misuse
Potential side effects like heartburn
Risk of infection
Bypass Liners
ProsAverages an 11% weight decreaseCan reduce blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterolMinimally invasiveConsPotential discomfort after insertionRequires removal at some pointRisk of device moving
ProsAverages an 11% weight decreaseCan reduce blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterolMinimally invasive
Averages an 11% weight decrease
Can reduce blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
ConsPotential discomfort after insertionRequires removal at some pointRisk of device moving
Potential discomfort after insertion
Requires removal at some point
Risk of device moving
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) and Gastric Plication
ProsGradual weight lossNo incisionQuick recoveryConsNot everyone is eligibleRequires lifestyle changesSide effects like nausea for a few days
ProsGradual weight lossNo incisionQuick recovery
Gradual weight loss
No incision
ConsNot everyone is eligibleRequires lifestyle changesSide effects like nausea for a few days
Not everyone is eligible
Requires lifestyle changes
Side effects like nausea for a few days
Endoscopic Gastric Bypass Revision
Reasons to Consider Bariatric Surgery Alternatives
Many people explore nonsurgical alternatives to reducerisk; some favor them for the following reasons:
Insurance Coverage for Weight Loss Procedures and Interventions
Bariatric surgerycosts between $15,000 and $25,000 without insurance.
Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance companies often cover bariatric surgery if you meet certain requirements. If this is the case, surgery may be less expensive than endoscopy. However, with growing support for endoscopic effectiveness, insurance coverage and cost-effectiveness are increasing for these procedures.
Comparing initial vs. long-term costs should also be considered. One study shows that endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) costs more than Wegovy (semaglutide) in the first year, but after five years, ESG is much less expensive:
Themanufactureroffers a coupon card program for Wegovy, costing some consumers nothing each month.
Nonsurgical Weight Loss Support and Resources
Healthcare providers design medical weight loss programs to monitor progress, identify modifiable behavior, and recommend lifestyle changes, supplements, medications, injections, and special devices, or alternative care like acupuncture.
Supplements
Weight loss supplements containing African mango, green tea extract, carnitine, curcumin, and rhubarb might help you achieve your weight loss goals, but the evidence to support their use varies and isn’t always strong.
Supplement safety and effectiveness vary as well. Supplements could interact with the medicines you take, and some are costly or even dangerous. For example, for safety reasons, in 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedra, a substance derived from an evergreen shrub that contains stimulant compounds, for safety reasons.
Talk to your healthcare team about the risks and benefits if you are considering supplements.
Weight Loss Programs
Some weight loss programs offer meal plans or prepackaged meals, calorie counting, portion control, and behavior modification. While these plans are convenient, some people avoid them due to restrictive rules, time commitments, and potentially high costs.
Weight Loss Medications
The followingweight loss medicationsaffect how your body processes food or reduce your appetite:
Below are the pros and cons associated with weight loss medications.
ProsConvenientEffectiveMay offer additionalhealth benefitsConsMay forget to take themSome require self-injectionMay need to take themindefinitelyNot everyone qualifiesPotential side effectsSome medications are costlyUncertain long-term effects of newer medications
ProsConvenientEffectiveMay offer additionalhealth benefits
Convenient
Effective
May offer additionalhealth benefits
ConsMay forget to take themSome require self-injectionMay need to take themindefinitelyNot everyone qualifiesPotential side effectsSome medications are costlyUncertain long-term effects of newer medications
May forget to take them
Some require self-injection
May need to take themindefinitely
Not everyone qualifies
Potential side effects
Some medications are costly
Uncertain long-term effects of newer medications
Injection Therapies
Your provider may recommend the following injections to help dissolve fat, boost metabolism, or curb appetite:
ProsConvenientRapid actionTarget specific areasConsCan be expensiveMay cause discomfort at the injection sitePotential long-term reliancePotential side effects
ProsConvenientRapid actionTarget specific areas
Rapid action
Target specific areas
ConsCan be expensiveMay cause discomfort at the injection sitePotential long-term reliancePotential side effects
Can be expensive
May cause discomfort at the injection site
Potential long-term reliance
Body Contouring or Sculpting
ProsNoninvasiveLow-riskQuickLimited downtime
Noninvasive
Low-risk
Quick
Limited downtime
Will not help with overall weight loss
May cause discomfort, swelling, bruising, or discoloration
The average cost is $1,226 per session
Results may require repeat sessions
Summary
Weight loss success often involves multiple methods. In addition to lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery, there are also nonsurgical methods. Medical weight loss teams may recommend behavioral therapy, supplements, weight loss medications, and nonsurgical interventions.
For example, endoscopic procedures are less invasive than surgery and have a minimal recovery time. However, it’s essential to check insurance coverage as many cover surgery but will not cover weight loss medications or endoscopic procedures.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Yoon JY, Arau RT.Study group for endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies of the Korean society of gastrointestinal endoscopy. the efficacy and safety of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty as an alternative to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.Clin Endosc. 2021;54(1):17-24. doi:10.5946/ce.2021.019
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts of weight-loss surgery.
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