Latest Advances in Obesity Management: From Injections to Implants

Latest Advances in Obesity Management: From Injections to Implants

Obesity is now seen as a medical condition that needs targeted solutions. For people living with chronic obesity, simple changes in diet and exercise often aren’t enough. In recent years, the focus has shifted toward advanced medical treatments. Injections and implants have emerged as powerful tools to manage body weight and related health risks.

Medical professionals are now using these methods to help people lose weight in a safe and controlled manner. These solutions work by influencing hunger signals, digestion, and how the body processes fat.

1. Weight Loss Injections: A Modern Non-Surgical Approach

Injections have become one of the most talked-about tools in obesity care. These are not typical medications. They are designed to work with the body’s natural hormones and target the brain’s appetite control system.

Here’s how they help:

• • Mimic GLP-1, a hormone that controls hunger
• • Slow down the speed of stomach emptying
• • Help people feel full longer and reduce food intake

Benefits of injections:

• • Easy to use — mostly once a week
• • Shown to support 10–15% body weight reduction

Important points to know:

• • These are prescription-only treatments
• • Mostly suitable for people with chronic obesity or obesity-related illnesses
• • May cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and other digestive symptoms, which usually fade over time.
• • Rare side effects include- gall bladder stones, pancreatitis, vision related changes and increased risk of thyroid cancer.

Injections are best suited for people who need medical help to reduce weight but prefer non-surgical options. They allow the body to gradually adapt while offering steady results.

2. Intragastric Balloons: Reducing Stomach Space Without Surgery

Intragastric balloons are soft, fluid-filled devices placed inside the stomach using an endoscope. They take up space in the stomach and reduce the amount of food one can eat comfortably.

How the balloon works:

• • Inserted through the mouth without cutting
• • Filled with saline once inside the stomach
• • Remains in place for about 4 to 12 months

What makes it effective:

• • Promotes early fullness
• • Encourages portion control
• • Helps support healthy eating behaviour

This method is usually recommended when lifestyle changes and medications haven’t worked well. It is a temporary tool, but one that can produce lasting weight control when followed by good habits.

3. Vagal Nerve Block Implants: Blocking Hunger Signals

This implant is a small device placed under the skin near the stomach area. It sends signals to block the vagus nerve, which carries hunger signals to the brain.

What it does:

• • Interrupts communication between stomach and brain
• • Helps reduce hunger and slow eating rate

Features of the implant:

• • Minimally invasive procedure
• • Programmable device with adjustable settings
• • Battery-powered and can be turned off or removed

This is a less common option but useful for patients who meet specific criteria. It requires regular monitoring and device checks to ensure optimal performance. It is not available in India.

4. Endoscopic Sleeve Methods: Reshaping the Stomach from Inside

This method involves reshaping the stomach using sutures placed through the mouth with an endoscope. No external cuts are made. The goal is to reduce stomach volume and slow digestion.

Advantages include:

• • No external surgery
• • Short recovery time
• • Results comparable to some types of surgery

This is an evolving technique and is considered ideal for people who want permanent results without undergoing full surgical procedures. The expected weight loss in about 10 to 15% of the total body weight. 

Implants vs Injections: How They Compare

Choosing between injections and implants depends on several factors like weight loss goals, medical history, and personal preference.

Feature	Injections	Implants
Invasiveness	Non-invasive	Minimally invasive
Duration	Long-term use (Long term data is not yet available)	Temporary or adjustable
Suitability	Early to moderate stages of obesity	Early to moderate stages of obesity
Supervision	Requires regular doctor follow-up	Requires procedure and maintenance

A proper evaluation by a qualified bariatric and laparoscopic surgeon is essential before starting either treatment.

The Role of Medical Supervision in Advanced Care

Both injections and implants need careful monitoring. A healthcare provider will assess patient response, manage side effects, and help adjust treatment as needed.

Why this matters:

• • Every person reacts differently
• • Dosages may need adjustments
• • Support improves long-term success

Medical guidance ensures that these modern solutions are used in a safe and effective way, especially for those managing chronic obesity.

Take the First Step Towards Better Health

Advanced obesity treatments today are far more effective and less invasive than before. Injections and implants are opening new doors for people who have tried everything but still struggle.

Those dealing with chronic obesity can now explore targeted options that go beyond temporary fixes. With the right care, it’s possible to gain control over health and weight without extreme procedures or unsafe shortcuts.

At Meta Heal, expert care is available for those seeking medical solutions to obesity. Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker is a leading specialist in this field, with deep expertise in offering treatments that are safe, advanced, and patient-friendly.