A new technique that involves folding the stomach into pleats is being tested as a potentially less risky form of weight-loss surgery . It involves no incisions , the entire procedure can be done via a tube passed down the throat and the patient can go home the same day . Weight-loss surgery , also called bariatric surgery , is available on the NHS to those who are morbidly obese with a body mass index ( BMI ) of over 40 — or to those who have a BMI of 35 to 40 , but whose weight is causing a serious , obesity-related health complaint , such as type 2 diabetes . Scroll down for video . The new surgery does not require any incisions to be made and involves folding the stomach into pleats , shrinking it and preventing it expanding to accommodate food . Thousands already have the surgery each year and , recently , the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence proposed that those newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who have a BMI of 30 or above should be considered for it , too . Currently , the procedures most often performed involve using a gastric band that reduces the stomach size , so less food is needed to make you feel full , or a gastric bypass . This involves re-routing the stomach to join a lower section of the intestines , reducing the size of the stomach and bypassing part of the small intestine , cutting the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed . The other option is a sleeve gastrectomy , involving removal of part of the stomach . However , these all involve incisions in the abdomen , which carries risk of infection ( affecting around one in 20 ) , blood clots in the legs or lungs and internal bleeding , each of which affects around one in 100 . Patients also need to stay in hospital for a least a night , if not longer . The new technique , called Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal , is less invasive and , researchers say , causes less post-operative pain , has reduced risk of infection and leaves no external scars . The surgeon works through a tube or endoscope , which goes down the throat into the stomach . Once in place , it is used to gather up the stomach wall and lining . A stitch is pushed through the gathered tissue and ‘ anchors ’ placed on either side to hold the fold in place . The process is repeated , making several folds to shrink the stomach and prevent it expanding to accommodate food . The technique has already been tested in small trials in Europe . In a Spanish study , 22 patients reported feeling full faster after the procedure and , after a year , had lost an average 62 per cent of their excess weight . Most returned to work without bandages or signs of surgery within two to three days , unlike traditional bariatric surgery , where it can take weeks or months to resume normal activities . In a Spanish study , most of the patients returned to work without bandages or any signs of having had the surgery within two to three days ( file image ) Around 300 people are now taking part in a new trial to further test its efficacy at a number of centres in the U.S. — the treatment is already approved for UK use . Dr Thomas Lavin , of The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana , who is leading the new trial , says : ‘ It could mean tens of thousands of patients may have an incredibly compelling new option to consider if they ’ ve struggled to lose weight with diet and exercise , but aren ’ t candidates for , or are not prepared to accept the risk of , traditional bariatric surgery. ’ Tam Fry , of the National Obesity Forum , says : ‘ This is a very interesting concept and seems plausible . It is less invasive and more patient-friendly than other therapies — and that is something we really do need . ‘ Over the past ten years , there have been a succession of advances in bariatric surgery , and we have moved from the scalpel to the endoscope . This could be a very useful treatment. ’ Meanwhile , obese adults who lose at least 5 per cent of their body weight will feel and sleep better , according to research from the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S . In a two-year study involving 390 obese adults following a variety of weight-loss programmes , those who lost at least 5 per cent of their weight at six months managed to sleep 21.6 minutes more than at their heaviest . Those who lost less weight had only 1.2 minutes more sleep each night . Similarly , patients who lost more than 5 per cent reported improvements to their symptoms of depression , compared with participants who lost less than 5 per cent .
It is called Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal and is far less invasive . Technique folds the stomach into pleats , preventing expansion for food . The whole procedure is done via a tube that is passed down the throat . Comment: