Embolization of the left gastric artery for weight reduction
The issue of obesity
Nowadays, obesity and excess weight have become prevalent issues affecting many individuals in society across all age groups. Some people experience excess weight from childhood, while others develop obesity or gain weight over time due to poor dietary habits and a lack of physical activity.
The issue of obesity arises from increased consumption of unhealthy, high-calorie foods and insufficient physical activity, which is often a result of full-time reliance on motorized vehicles.
Most individuals who are overweight and decide to lose weight seek an easy solution, such as taking appetite-suppressant pills, gastric balloons, gastric bypass surgery, lipolysis, liposuction, and similar methods. While all of these can aid in weight loss, they each come with their own specific side effects.
Complications Associated with Overweight or Obesity
Excess weight and obesity can pave the way for the development of numerous serious and chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and heart and brain strokes. Additionally, weight gain is directly associated with issues such as fatty liver, joint pain and knee osteoarthritis, respiratory disorders—particularly sleep apnea—infertility, and certain types of cancer. If left uncontrolled, these conditions can significantly reduce both the quality of life and life expectancy.
New Weight Loss Treatment
One of the latest outpatient weight-loss treatments, performed without the need for general anesthesia, is the embolization of the left gastric artery. This procedure reduces appetite in obese individuals and ultimately leads to weight loss.
Embolization of the Left Gastric Artery
The stomach is a muscular sac that serves as a site for food storage and digestion. The higher the consumption of high-calorie foods, the more fat the human body tends to absorb. Left gastric artery embolization is performed under imaging guidance and local anesthesia. In this procedure, a specialized catheter is inserted through the right groin into the left gastric artery. After angiography is conducted, a combination of blocking agents is injected into the left gastric artery.
The blockage of this artery prevents the production of the hormone ghrelin in the individual.
This hormone is responsible for the sensation of hunger in humans.
After the procedure, the catheter insertion site is compressed to prevent bleeding in the groin area.
Embolization of the left gastric artery for weight loss might become an effective and suitable method in the future to reduce appetite in obese individuals, helping them achieve their desired weight. By decreasing appetite, the individual will not experience feelings of hunger.
Interventional radiology specialists have recently been using this method to treat various diseases, yielding highly effective and positive results.
Intervention Clinics
The interventional clinics at pardis noor comprehensive imaging centers, utilizing advanced equipment and a specialized team, provide minimally invasive medical services with high precision and safety.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does embolization of the left gastric artery lead to weight loss?
In this method, by blocking a portion of the blood supply to the fundus of the stomach, the secretion of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) is reduced. As a result, the feeling of hunger decreases, leading to gradual weight loss.
Can this method be considered an alternative to weight-loss surgery?
This method is a minimally invasive procedure that does not involve open surgery. It can be a suitable option for individuals who are not ideal candidates for bariatric surgery or prefer non-surgical approaches. However, the final decision depends on the patient’s specific condition.
What is the recovery time after undergoing this procedure?
This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis or with a short hospital stay, and the patient is usually able to resume daily activities within a few days. Gradual weight loss is observed over the following months.