What is the best non-surgical weight loss procedure for me?

If you're living with obesity and have found it difficult to lose weight, it may be worth exploring non-surgical weight loss methods.

Several options are available, from minimally invasive procedures like swallowable gastric balloons to weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro.

In this guide, we look at some of the most common methods and their pros and cons. That way, you have the facts you need to approach your medical team with confidence.

Non-surgical weight loss procedures

Non-surgical weight loss procedures are an alternative to bariatric (weight loss) surgery. Like bariatric surgery, they involve reducing the stomach's volume so you feel full much faster. However, unlike bariatric surgery, they don't involve large surgical incisions or permanent alterations to organs.

That tends to mean fewer risks and a shorter recovery time. And if you're anxious about surgery, they might feel less intimidating.

However, while these options are sometimes called 'minimally invasive' procedures, that doesn't mean they're as quick and painless as a dental check-up. While you shouldn't feel any pain during the procedure, they can involve intense and uncomfortable recovery periods. And, like any medical procedure, they're not completely risk-free.

That's why it's important to consider all the facts before discussing these procedures with your medical team. It's not a decision to take lightly, but for the right person, they can yield substantial and long-lasting weight loss.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)

What's involved

A doctor passes a thin, flexible tube with a camera down your throat into your stomach. Using a special tool attached to the camera, they place stitches along the stomach wall and then pull them tight like an accordion. This folds the stomach inward, reshaping it into a small, narrow sleeve and reducing its volume by about 70%.

You'll be asleep (under general anaesthetic) for the whole procedure, which takes 60 to 90 minutes. Most people go home on the same day.

How to prepare

You must fast (eat and drink nothing) for at least eight to 12 hours before the procedure. Your doctor might also put you on a clear liquid diet for a few days beforehand.

The recovery phase

It's very common to experience a sore throat, cramping and nausea for the first three to five days after the procedure. It will take around four to six weeks for your stomach to fully heal, during which time you'll follow a strict liquid-to-soft-food diet transition.

Is it reversible?

An ESG is technically reversible because no stomach tissue is removed. However, it's not designed to be easily reversed. Instead, doctors are more likely to recommend conversion – a procedure where they convert the ESG into a full gastric sleeve or bypass.

Typical results

In a 2020 study, ESG patients maintained an average total weight loss of 15.9% after five years.¹

Intragastric balloon

What's involved

As with an ESG, a doctor passes a tube with a camera down your throat into your stomach. They slide a small, deflated silicone balloon down the tube. Once they see it's in your stomach, they fill the balloon with a sterile saline fluid until it's about the size of a grapefruit. This reduces stomach volume by about 33% to 60%.

You'll likely stay awake during the operation, but will be given painkillers and sedatives to keep you comfortable. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, and most people go home within a few hours.

How to prepare

You'll start taking prescription pills to block stomach acid a week or two before the procedure. You must follow a clear liquid diet for two or three days prior, and fast completely from the night before.

The recovery phase

The first three to seven days are often quite uncomfortable. You'll likely experience heavy nausea, vomiting and cramping. This is because your stomach is trying to digest the balloon.

After around seven days, your stomach should adapt, and you can carry on with normal activities.

Is it reversible?

Yes. Standard gastric balloons are only designed to stay in place for six months before they must be removed. Newer balloons can safely remain in the stomach for up to 12 months.

Typical results

A 2026 study reported a 13.7% total average weight loss among gastric balloon patients after six months.²

Swallowable pill balloons

What's involved

There's no surgery and no complex equipment. You simply swallow a vegetarian capsule about the size of a large vitamin pill. The capsule is attached to a long, very thin tube.

The doctor will confirm that the capsule has reached your stomach with an X-ray. They'll then fill the balloon with fluid and gently pull out the tube to seal the balloon.

You'll be awake during the whole procedure. Typically, no painkillers or sedatives are needed. It takes about 15 minutes, and you can walk straight out of the clinic afterwards.

How to prepare

You must take stomach acid-blocking medication for a few days prior and eat nothing for six to eight hours before the procedure.

Recovery time

As with the standard balloon, you'll likely experience cramping, nausea and vomiting as your stomach adjusts. These symptoms typically subside to comfortable levels after about three or four days.

Is it reversible?

Yes, and no follow-up procedure is needed. The balloon is designed to naturally break down and exit the body after about four months.

Typical results

A 2025 study found that patients who took a swallowable balloon lost an average of 13.9% of their starting weight after 16 weeks. The patients maintained 95% of that weight loss after one year.³

Are non-surgical weight loss procedures available on the NHS?