What are the most effective methods to lose weight?

All the articles in this blog are written in collaboration with and under the supervision of the health professionals at our gastroenterology center.

There are many different methods of losing weight, with varying degrees of effectiveness. And for good reason, obesity has experienced a real explosion, especially in recent decades. Consequently, our team of professionals at the DDG Center has selected for you the most powerful techniques for slimming down! Zoom in on the most effective methods to lose weight!

1 – Losing weight with the natural method

The natural method of losing weight is the most common but also the most time consuming. It simply consists of combining several tips and natural methods and repeating them daily. These methods are linked to your lifestyle. Adopting them is therefore beneficial for your weight loss, but also for your health.

There are many practices that can be done on a daily basis that will help you lose weight and fight overweight and obesity.

These include:

• The adoption of a healthy, varied and balanced diet.
• Stopping snacking and eating too much fat and/or sugar.
• Hydration: drinking enough water keeps you hydrated, but also helps to eliminate toxins.
• Get enough sleep: the internal clock affects weight gain and loss.
• Get away from stress: a good mood and a calm daily life help to avoid all forms of compulsive eating disorders.
• Physical activity: it is essential to be active on a daily basis (walking, climbing stairs, etc.).

All these methods are complementary and will serve to build your lifestyle. They will allow you to change your lifestyle, improve your health and lose weight in the medium and long term.

If you choose this method, it is strongly recommended that you consult a dietician who will help you set up a suitable nutritional program.

To know! Determination, discipline and patience are the watchwords! This is a long-term goal, so you should set yourself small targets in order to make progress in your weight loss process. A weight loss of 2 to 3 kg per month is excellent. Don’t try to lose too much too quickly as you risk gaining it back just as quickly!

2 – The placement of the gastric balloon (a method of losing weight without surgery)

The gastric balloon placement is a non-surgical method. The gastric balloon is the most suitable method for obese people with a BMI between 28 and 30 who have not been able to lose weight using the natural method. According to the WHO : 1.9 billion adults are overweight and 600 million are “obese”. 

This method consists of introducing a deflated balloon through the mouth. Once placed in the stomach, it is immediately filled:

• either a sterile saline solution stained with methylene blue
• either air, through a catheter attached to the balloon

The gastric balloon will create a feeling of fullness and satiety. As a result, hunger and food consumption decrease. The balloon usually takes up one third of your stomach. However, it allows you to continue eating, but in smaller portions. The intragastric balloon is placed under light anaesthetic: sedation (disconnection).

The duration of the placement of the intragastric balloon is less than fifteen minutes. The patient will still have to stay 1 hour under surveillance at the clinic.

During the period when the balloon is installed in the stomach, the patient is regularly monitored. This follow-up will be done by specialised doctors. The multidisciplinary medical team consists of a gastroenterologist, a nutritionist and a psychologist.

3 – Bariatric surgery

Obesity surgery is only recommended as a last resort in cases of severe obesity. There are several options, including

Sleeve

The gastric sleeve is an operation that consists of removing a large part of the stomach (2/3).

Bypass

Gastric bypass is an operation that consists of bypassing the stomach. The size of the stomach is greatly reduced and the food passes directly into the small intestine.

Gastric Band

Gastric band surgery involves placing a silicone ring around the stomach. This is done to slow down the passage of food to the top of the stomach.

Please note! These surgical techniques are reserved for obese people.

There are many conditions governing access to bariatric surgery:

• the patient’s life must be threatened by their condition
• all treatments must have failed

Surgery changes the anatomy of the digestive system. It is a mechanical and metabolic aid.

It leads to :

• a decrease in the amount of food consumed
• a decrease in the assimilation of food by the body
• a significant drop in weight.

For this reason, the operation must be carefully supervised and thought through by the person suffering from obesity.

What you should know about the best ways to lose weight

There are three main methods of losing weight:

• The natural method, which includes all the changes you can make to your lifestyle.
• The non-surgical method, which consists of placing a gastric balloon (in the stomach).
• Surgical methods, surgery is not a harmless method. It is therefore necessary to think carefully before opting for this solution and taking the plunge.

Did you like this article? Let us know which of the above methods you have tried to lose weight, and what results you got in the comments!

However, if you have tried everything and still can’t lose weight, contact us on +32 (0)2 673 90 71 or make an appointment to find out what steps to take to get the best advice. Our doctors will be happy to help you solve your weight problems!