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Non Surgical Weight Loss - What are the options?

With around 63% of UK adults classified as overweight or obese, it is no surprise that many of us are seeking a weight loss solution.

Tagged: Weight Loss

Date: 20th June 2022

Medically Reviewed by:  Dr. Susan Mayou (GMC: 2405092)

Last reviewed: 23rd June 2023

With around 63% of UK adults classified as overweight or obese, it is no surprise that many of us are seeking a weight loss solution.

There is little doubt that surgery is a fast and effective weight loss method, but it is invasive and can be expensive, so it is not for everyone. 

But what non surgical weight loss options are out there? And which one would work best for you? Here we will look at the pros and cons of different non surgical weight loss options.

Diet

A nutritious, balanced diet is the foundation of good health. A healthy weight loss can be achieved by maintaining a calorie deficit - that is, eating fewer calories than you burn on a daily basis. When you are in a calorie deficit, your body turns to its fat and carbohydrate stores for energy.

There are a number of different diets out there which you may have heard of or even tried, such as low carb diets, high protein diets, ketogenic diets and intermittent fasting. Although all these diets can lead to weight loss, dieticians recommend gradually decreasing your calorie intake while eating nutrient-rich foods which are high in protein and fibre, which helps to reduce the negative side-effects of diets. 

Following a safe, calorie-controlled diet, will help you to lose weight, but on its own, it may take a long time to achieve any meaningful weight loss. Although improving your diet will have a positive impact on your overall health.

Exercise

Coupled with a healthy, calorie-controlled diet, exercise is the best thing that you can do to keep yourself fit and well. This includes losing excess weight. 

Exercise helps with the calorie deficit, with cardio exercises, such as swimming, running or cycling, the best choices to aid with fat loss. 

But losing weight via exercise takes time and commitment. It is no quick fix solution to weight loss. 

Some people who are very overweight or obese may find it difficult to start exercising because the excess weight may impact on their movement or breathing. Someone who feels self-conscious about their weight and appearance may also actively avoid exercising, particularly if other people are around. So sometimes a different non surgical weight loss option may be needed to help set someone on the pathway to healthy habits.

Gastric balloon

If you have tried dieting without much success, then you may wish to consider a non surgical weight loss like a gastric balloon. This involves placing a saline-filled balloon into the stomach, filling a large area and making less room for food. 

If you have a gastric balloon fitted at the Cadogan Clinic, you should expect to lose up to a third of your excess body weight. Compared to dieting and exercise, a gastric balloon is a much quicker way of losing excess weight. The average gastric balloon weight loss is two to three stone, with the majority of this weight loss happening within the first three months of the procedure.

However it is only a temporary weight loss solution as the balloon will be deflated after around six months, when your stomach will return to its normal size. The idea is that during the time the balloon is in situ, you would have adapted to having smaller portion sizes. It is important that you are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the balloon is deflated in order to prevent putting the weight back on again.

Once these fat cells are removed from the back, they do not grow back, meaning your back will keep its new lean, toned shape, as long as you maintain a healthy weight.

After your back fat removal surgery you will be expected to wear a surgical garment for several weeks. The purpose of this compression garment is to reduce the swelling and help the body to adapt to its new slimline shape. It is important that you follow all the aftercare instructions issued by your surgeon in order to help aid the healing process. If you adhere to these instructions, you should expect a full recovery from your back fat removal surgery in six weeks.

You should start to notice the early results of your back fat liposuction from around six weeks, and can expect the final result anywhere between six and 12 months, post-surgery.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a great way for moderately obese people to lose weight, without going under the knife.

In this non surgical weight loss method, a scope is fed down the throat and into the stomach before the doctor uses a special studding device to cinch the stomach in, reducing it to the size and shape of a banana. The premise is the same as a gastric balloon procedure - there is less space in the stomach for food, so you need to eat less to feel full. As a result of eating less, you will lose weight. 

And the amount of weight loss is not inconsiderable either. Studies show that within a year of the procedure, most patients have typically lost around 15% of their starting weight.

Laser Fat Reduction (SculpSure)

SculpSure, also known as laser fat reduction, is a great non surgical weight loss option and a popular treatment here at the Cadogan Clinic.

In this particular treatment, heat is used to kill fat cells. These dead cells are then flushed from the body via the patient’s natural lymphatic system. This non-invasive treatment is particularly good for tackling stubborn fatty deposits in the back, thighs, hips and abdomen area (also known as love handles) as well as a double chin.

One benefit of laser fat reduction is that it is very quick - one treatment takes just 25 minutes from start to finish, with no downtime afterwards. You may need to have more than one treatment and it can take three months to see the full results, so you need to be patient. 

However SculpSure does produce some great results and the best thing is these are permanent.

Supplements

Weight loss supplements come in a range of forms, including pills, powders and liquids. They claim to be a fast and easy weight loss solution.

However studies have shown that many weight loss supplements do not live up to this claim, with most people only managing to achieve a very modest weight loss, if they lose any weight at all. 

Weight loss supplements can also be very expensive, particularly if you are taking them on a long term basis. So rather than spend your money on costly supplements, you would be better off paying for a treatment such as Sculpsure or a gastric balloon, which are far more reliable non surgical weight loss options.

Book a consultation with one of our weight loss experts here at the Cadogan Clinic who will be able to discuss the available treatments with you.


Treatments mentioned in this article



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