At Gastrointestinal & Non-Surgical Weight Loss Solutions, our Arcadia and Los Angeles, CA based gastroenterologist and his team offer the region solutions to help with weight loss. Our practitioner understands the toll being overweight can take on a person mentally and physically. That's why our doctor is dedicated to providing patients with solutions to assist that don't require an invasive surgery and extensive downtime.

What Are Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies?

Endoscopic bariatric therapies are similar in nature to bariatric surgeries, such as a sleeve gastrectomy. The goal of those and these procedures is to reduce how much the stomach can hold and the intestines absorb. As a result, you consume fewer calories.

With bariatric therapies, our practitioner will use an endoscope inserted through the mouth, making it unnecessary to create an opening in the abdomen. All of the procedure is performed this way.

Types of Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies  

No single bariatric therapy is better than the next for every patient. They have their pros and cons, and the best one suited for you depends on your particular situation and desires. 

One example is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. This procedure consists of our doctor positioning sutures endoscopically. They're strategically placed to decrease the size of your stomach. Basically, you're left with a stomach that's similar to a sleeve or small tube, and it reduces the size of your stomach by 70 percent.

Intragastric balloon therapy is another minimally invasive procedure we offer Arcadia and Los Angeles, CA. During this procedure, our practitioner will place a silicone balloon inside your stomach, either endoscopically or by having you swallow it. The practitioner inflates it with gas or a sterile liquid solution. As a result of the balloon, you feel full sooner. It also slows how quickly your stomach is emptying into the intestines. In about six months, our practitioner will remove the balloon. 

Sometimes, our practitioner performs an endoscopic procedure as a revision to a bariatric surgery if a person began to gain a large amount of weight back after the surgery. 

Why Choose an Endoscopic Procedure

Endoscopic bariatric procedures are minimally invasive. They're outpatient procedures. They also have minimal downtime compared to a standard surgical bariatric procedure. When compared to surgery, these therapies have fewer side effects and risks.

A visit to Gastrointestinal & Non-Surgical Weight Loss Solutions to see Dr. Portocarrero can help you get on the right track to weight loss. We'll discuss your options and see if one of our endoscopic bariatric therapies is right for you. We serve Arcadia and Los Angeles, CA, and are anxious to help you on your journey.

Call us at (626) 461-5408.