Is there an alternative to surgery that's not a pill?

[Kyra]

What are some other alternatives to weight loss surgery that isn't prescription diet pills?

[Maggie]

There are other devices and medications that aren't pills. For instance, Sandexa is taken in the form of an injection if I'm not mistaken and there is that new stomach pump/suck device thing the FDA recently approved (I forget what the medical name of it is) but essentially it's a device that hooks up to your stomach and allows you to empty some of the contents into the toilet that you've eaten so you ingest far fewer calories.

[kellykatt]

I think there is also a device that they can put in your stomach (maybe you swallow it I'm not sure) and it's like a balloon so it inflates in your stomach so you eat less food. You only have it for a while and then eventually it just goes through your system and is eliminated like regular waste. I forget what it's called, but that's an alternative to surgery. Some people have success with it and others don't tolerate it very well.

[1000kw]

I'm gonna state the most obvious (cause someone has to) a change in diet and exercise is also an alternative to weight loss surgery. I know that such conventional methods are hard for most people to do without additional assistance (ex. surgery, diet pills or other devices) but the reality is that - regardless of how difficult - it can be done.

[Kyra]

I think there is also a device that they can put in your stomach (maybe you swallow it I'm not sure) and it's like a balloon so it inflates in your stomach so you eat less food. You only have it for a while and then eventually it just goes through your system and is eliminated like regular waste. I forget what it's called, but that's an alternative to surgery. Some people have success with it and others don't tolerate it very well.

A balloon in your stomach? I've never heard of that. Does anyone else know more about this?

[tammybear]

A balloon in your stomach? I've never heard of that. Does anyone else know more about this?

It's a gastric balloon is place in the stomach and is filled with saline to partially fill the stomach, which helps to make a person feel less hungry, so they'll consume smaller food portions and satisfy their hunger much quicker. Typically the balloon is left in the stomach for up to six months. If a patient is to be on it for longer, the balloon is replaced. The whole point with the balloon is to establish a healthy eating and exercise habits. The balloon on it's own will not lead to measurable weight loss.

[Kyra]

It's a gastric balloon is place in the stomach and is filled with saline to partially fill the stomach, which helps to make a person feel less hungry, so they'll consume smaller food portions and satisfy their hunger much quicker. Typically the balloon is left in the stomach for up to six months. If a patient is to be on it for longer, the balloon is replaced. The whole point with the balloon is to establish a healthy eating and exercise habits. The balloon on it's own will not lead to measurable weight loss.

Thanks for explaining that further TammyBear. That makes a lot more sense to me :)