Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options
In Tampa, FL
Many people right here in Tampa, suffer from obesity and other health issues that are related to their weight such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and knee and hip issues that affect their mobility.
Many of these people have tried but been unsuccessful in losing weight through the traditional channel of diet and exercise and some have even tried non-traditional ways such as fad diets and hypnotherapy.
They know they need some help but they do not want to undergo bariatric surgery or do not qualify for surgery. They want to become healthier but they are unsure what to do or how to get started. The good news is, that these individuals have many non-surgical weight loss options available in Tampa, Fl.
What Is Non-Surgical Weight Loss?
Non-surgical weight loss is a procedure and/or medically supervised program that helps patients lose weight that does not involve surgery or incisions. Several weight loss without surgery options are offered at the IBI Healthcare Institutes Tampa location.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options
Orbera Gastric Balloon
An ORBERA® balloon is part of a twelve-month supervised weight loss program and when used properly can help patients lose a significant amount of weight in only 6 months. Patients have reported 33-92 pounds. The Orbera balloon helps the patient by alleviating their hunger and limiting their portions which are some of the most challenging parts of a weight loss program.
The Orbera gastric balloon is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that takes about 20 – 30 minutes to perform. With the patient mildly sedated, the deflated Orbera balloon is placed into the patient’s stomach using an endoscope that is lowered down their throat. Once the balloon is placed in the targeted stomach location, it is inflated with saline until it resembles a medium grapefruit in size. The patient is released to go home the same day and recovery is typically about 3 days.
The gastric balloon works for weight loss because it will take up most of the space in the patient’s stomach so they will not be able to eat very much, they will feel less hungry, and they will lose weight. The balloon will remain in place for 6 months and then it is removed but the patient will continue following their program for the next six months, just without the balloon.
During the entire 12-month Orbera non-surgical weight loss program, patients are provided a high level of support by a team of medical professionals that may include nutritional & dietary, physical fitness, and emotional support.
Patients can continue to lose weight or maintain their goal weight by continuing their learned routine which includes a healthy low-calorie diet and daily exercise.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is becoming one of the most popular weight loss procedures without surgery available today. The weight loss results that can be obtained through non-surgical ESG are very similar to those of gastric sleeve surgery but without undergoing surgery or being subject to the associated risks or recovery time.
ESG works for weight loss by restricting the amount the patient can eat in one sitting. The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia but does not require any incisions. The surgeon uses an endoscope, which is a thin hollow surgical instrument with an attached camera, that is lowered down the patient’s throat to gain access to the stomach. With the help of the tiny camera, the surgeon can see exactly what they are doing on a video screen located next to them in the operating facility.
The surgeon reshapes the patient’s stomach into a much smaller tube-like pouch and using a special tool secures it in place with several sutures (Apollo ESG, formerly Overstitch). This non-surgical weight loss procedure takes between 30-45 minutes and patients can go home the same day. Because the patient’s stomach has been reduced by about 75%, they can only eat small portions, their stomach takes longer to empty, and they feel satisfied longer.
After ESG patients follow a specified diet plan (liquids, soft foods, solid foods) while their stomach acclimates to the new smaller size. The typical recovery time is about a week. In clinical trials, patients lost an average of 49% of their excess body weight which was double the target goal of the trial. This Patient testimonial tells of her weight loss of 114 pounds after undergoing the non-surgical ESG procedure.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Medication Options
In addition to the non-surgical weight-loss procedures offered in Tampa at IBI Healthcare Institute, there are also non-surgical weight loss injections that are very effective when used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and sufficient exercise.
When using non-surgical weight-loss injections, patients are required to be monitored and under a doctor’s supervision. Generally, patients will meet with their doctors every month to monitor their progress and make any adjustments necessary. All non-surgical weight-loss injections begin at low doses and escalate each month for five months until reaching the maximum dose.
Utilizing non-surgical weight-loss injections will boost your metabolism, curb your hunger, and make the results of all your hard work evident quicker. The non-surgical weight loss medications available at IBI Healthcare Institute in Tampa, FL are:
Wegovy®
Semaglutide was FDA-approved in 2017 for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy® shot is the same prescription medication but approved in higher doses by the FDA In June of 2021, to treat patients with obesity. Wegovy® is dispensed in a preloaded injection pen that is administered once a week. Each pen is only used one time and then properly disposed of. The dose starts at 0.25 mg and increases each month for five months to the maximum of 2.4 mg. Wegovy is approved for long-term use in adults over 18 years of age.
Saxenda®
Liraglutide is the name of the prescription that was marketed as Victoza and approved by the FDA in 2010 to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. Saxenda® injection is the same prescription drug Liraglutide and is FDA-approved in higher doses for treating patients who are overweight or suffer from obesity. Saxenda is approved for use in weight management for individuals as young as 12 years old. It is dispensed in a pre-filled injection pen that holds approximately a one-month supply. It is administered daily through a subcutaneous injection and requires a new needle each day. The dose begins at 0.6mg and increases over 5 months to 3mg.
SlimMed Shot
Semaglutide is the same prescription medication as Ozempic and has been used for over ten years to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes. SlimMed shot combines Semaglutide with Levocarnitine which stimulates and promotes the body’s natural fat metabolism process. The IBI SlimMed Injection is administered through pre-filled syringes that are injected subcutaneously once a week. Patients receive a month’s supply of pre-filled syringes and at each monthly follow-up appointment are provided with the syringes of the next dose level. To order SlimMed shot now, click here.
Having access to non-surgical weight loss options and procedures offer patients more opportunities to obtain help and guidance when attempting to lose weight. Studies have shown that after an individual reaches a certain BMI level it is almost impossible for them to lose weight and reach a healthy BMI without some type of medical weight loss assistance.
Here at IBI Healthcare Institute in Tampa, we are committed to helping you succeed in losing weight and reaching your weight loss goal. Speak to one of our highly-skilled medical team members today to find out which non-surgical weight loss option is right for you.