Without operation Painless Painless weight loss method
What is this new weight loss method?
This method is one of the effective weight loss treatments performed endoscopically without surgery. Before, Botulinum toxin was used mostly for aesthetic purposes. Botulinum toxin is a substance that can temporarily reduce the activity of smooth and striated muscles.
In this slimming method, six-month treatment begins with the injection of the drug to the muscle layers of the fundus and the antrum regions. Stomach movements and gastric emptying become weaker as it decreases the functions of these muscles for a period of four to six months. Thus, since food leaves the stomach later, it contributes to weight loss by giving a constant feeling of satiety.
In the beginning, it was seen that the desired weight loss success could not be achieved by injecting only the antrum, ie the area close to the stomach outlet. Therefore, a change has been made in the regions for injection. In subsequent studies, injections were started to be made additionally in the fundus part (dome part) of the stomach. It is thought that the injections made here control the hunger hormone (ghrelin) secreted from this region.
Additional site injection has made this slimming method popular again. It has become one of the non-surgical slimming methods performed endoscopically, such as the gastric balloon.
Who are candidates for this endoscopic slimming method?
- People with a body mass index above 27 who fail to lose weight through other methods such as diet and exercise.
- People with secondary weight problems. For example Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
How is it performed?
The patient to whom this weight loss method will be applied should wait on empty stomach for the last 8 hours before the procedure. An empty stomach prevents the risk of aspiration in this procedure since it is performed under sedoanalgesia during which the patient is asleep. During the procedure, generally, 200 or 300 units of the agent are administered as deep injections starting from the antrum in a circular fashion to reach the muscles close to the outside of the stomach which normally produces peristaltic movements. The diluted botulinum toxin is applied approximately to 8 or 20 different spots in the antrum and the fundus. In practice, 100 IU/ml, 300 IU/ml, and 500 IU/ml toxins were used, and 300 IU/ml is determined to be sufficient. The toxin substance in the injected areas is spread by diffusion within a few days and becomes more effective.
What is the expectation in patients to whom this method is applied?
After the injection of the stomach wall, the toxin effect lasts for 6 months. It has been observed that the cases can lose 10 to 15 kilograms during this period. Injected botulinum toxin is deactivated by the body at the end of 4 to 6 months.
After 6 months, a second injection can be given to lose some more weight.
Are there any side effects and harmful aspects of this procedure?
It is much safer when compared to other weight loss methods. Nausea, fever and vomiting may rarely occur due to drugs used for sedoanalgesia. Bleeding may be seen rarely due to the injection process. These are easily taken under control.
Apart from these, when the agent is administered more than the recommended amount, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect other organs. such that it can cause palpitation in the heart. Also, in such a situation, double vision, breathing difficulties, and muscle weakness may occur. For this reason, the recommended dose should not be exceeded and care should be taken to administer it into the stomach muscle layer.
Post-procedure recommendations
The procedure is performed in 8-10 minutes by being put to sleep in the units of the Gastroenterology Department.
After the procedure is over, when the effect of sleeping pills wears off, you can resume your normal activities after about 2 hours. You can start eating orally. Liquid-based nutrition is recommended for the first day.
There may be a slight weakness that will last for a few days. However, it does not prevent you from going to work the next day.