Endobariatrics: a Still Underutilized Weight Loss Tool

Abstract

Purpose of review Bariatric and metabolic endoscopic therapies provide an option for patients seeking clinically significant weight loss with fewer adverse events than conventional bariatric surgery. Our aims are to provide an overview of the current state of primary endoscopic treatment options for weight loss and to emphasize the importance of including these therapies when presenting weight loss options to qualified patients. Recent findings Bariatric endoscopy procedures are associated with a lower adverse event rate when compared to bariatric surgery and result in more weight loss than most existing pharmacotherapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Summary Sufficient evidence exists to implement bariatric endoscopic therapies—namely, the intragastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty—as safe and effective treatment options for weight loss when used in combination with lifestyle changes. However, bariatric endoscopy remains an underutilized option by weight management providers. Future studies are needed to identify patient and provider-level barriers to adopting endoscopic bariatric therapies as an option for the treatment of obesity.