Mixed
Endoscopic gastric plication (POSE procedure) produces modest, statistically significant weight loss (approx. 4.9% at 1 year) superior to sham, but remains significantly less effective than bariatric surgery and comparable to pharmacotherapy.
Endoscopic gastric plication is a valid option for Class I-II obesity if you want something more effective than lifestyle changes alone but less invasive than surgery. Expect about 5% weight loss at one year, which is similar to taking weight-loss drugs. It is a one-time procedure but may need repeating as the stomach remodels. Discuss the $11,000 cost and potential risks (like infection) with your doctor, and weigh them against the long-term cost of managing obesity-related conditions.
Average total body weight loss at 1 year (with 91% follow-up) was 4.9% with the pose procedure versus 1.4% with the sham... Plication-induced weight loss in this study was fairly similar to that expected from existing prescription weight-loss medications.
Why this rating
Based on a double-blind, randomized clinical trial (ESSENTIAL), which is high-quality evidence, though limited to 1-year follow-up.
Source
Endoscopic gastric plication for obesity: Where might it fit in the scheme of things?
David E. Cummings et al. · Obesity · 2017
DOI 10.1002/oby.21766
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
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