Dr. Starpoli blog on GI disorders

EndoBarrier, a Non-Surgical Alternative to Bariatric Surgery

Written by Rachel Jones | Feb 8, 2014 6:39:00 PM

Bariatric surgery is an invasive way to achieve weight loss.  Part of the stomach and small intestines are removed during the surgery.  However, with EndoBarrier, there is no surgery involved, but you still achieve the weight loss.

 

EndoBarrier is a basically a sleeve that is placed in your small intestine. This helps you achieve weight loss. No surgery is involved because the device is actually implanted into your body endoscopically, through your mouth. It is then placed in a way that it will line the first two feet of your small intestine.

This sleeve will prevent food from being easily absorbed by the body, and it will have a major impact on your calorie intake. 

The benefits of EndoBarrier include:
• The sleeve is implanted and removed endoscopically, without surgery.
• Implanting of the device can actually be done as a same day procedure. 

• The metabolic effect that comes from EndoBarrier is like that of gastric bypass surgery, as it actually helps resolve type 2 diabetes and it will bring about weight loss. 

• The procedure is reversible; not all bariatric procedures are.

As a weight loss treatment, this is very effective and recovery is very rapid. And, EndoBarrier actually costs significantly less than bariatric surgery procedures. 
 

In clinical trials, patients showed improved glycemic control in just one week. 

EndoBarrier is an exciting new treatment for both obesity and type 2 diabetes.

This technology, while exciting, is still under investigation.  The value of such a procedure, or anything that blocks the absorptive surface is that it will reduce the amount of nutrients and calories that coming across. Metabolic syndrome, which includes issues with blood sugar, as well as other cardiovascular issues, can be attacked with this methodology.  There is exploration to other technologies, which actually denude the surface lining of the small intestine in an effort to achieve similar kinds of results.

 

 

Topics: Obesity