Bariatric Services at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital

A New Non-Surgical Weight Loss Option

Looking for a weight loss option without surgery?

Our balloon-based weight management program provides a temporary, non-surgical approach to weight loss combined with six months of expert support from the UPMC Magee bariatric team.

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital now offers a non-surgical weight management program designed for eligible adults seeking an alternative to bariatric surgery.

This FDA-approved treatment features a swallowable gastric balloon that is placed during an office visit without surgery, anesthesia, or endoscopy. Once in place, the balloon occupies space in the stomach to help patients feel fuller while participating in a medically supervised weight management program.

The balloon remains in the stomach for approximately four months before naturally passing from the body.

What's Included

Patients enrolled in the program receive:

• In-office balloon placement.
• Follow-up visits with the bariatric team.
• One-on-one nutrition counseling and support from registered dietitians.
• A connected scale and mobile app for tracking progress.
• Ongoing monitoring and coaching throughout the program.

Who May Be Eligible?

This treatment may be appropriate for adults who:

• Are between 22 and 65 years old.
• Have a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40.
• Have previously attempted weight loss through diet, exercise, or a structured weight loss program.
• Are looking for a non-surgical approach to weight management.

A consultation with a physician is required to determine eligibility and review medical history.

*This program is available on a self-pay basis. The fee includes the procedure, supplies, follow-up visits, and nutrition support.

Call 412-641-7871 or request an appointment online to speak with a member of our bariatric team.

For individuals who choose not to undergo surgery, or for those who are not eligible, we offer non-surgical medical weight loss options. Treatment is tailored to your needs and supervised by medical experts who are trained in providing care for patients who are overweight and/or with obesity.

Our staff will provide the tools needed to help you move forward by providing a comprehensive program of the most current medical treatments available, nutritional education, healthy lifestyle coaching and support.

Behavioral Weight Control

To help patients of any age achieve desired weight loss (averaging 7-10% of their total body weight) through nutrition and lifestyle counseling, using weight loss medicine as an adjunct to increase weight loss.

If down the road bariatric intermediate or surgical options become available to you, you’ll have access to UPMC’s highly trained staff of physicians, advanced practiced providers, and registered dietitians.

These non-surgical options offer weight loss (averaging 10-15% of total body weight) through endoscopic procedures. These procedures provide a less invasive and lower risk option than bariatric surgery.

Intragastric balloon

The intragastric balloon system is designed to assist adult patients in losing and maintaining weight. Your bariatric surgeon will insert the balloon through your mouth and down your esophagus into your stomach. Once placed, the balloon is filled with saline until roughly the size of a small melon. The procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes and you typically go home the same day. The balloon helps you lose weight by reinforcing portion control and keeping you feeling full after meals. After six months, the balloon is removed.

The program includes balloon insertion and removal as well as a 12-month extensive lifestyle program, which begins at the time the balloon is inserted. This procedure is not covered by insurance. 

Learn more about the intragastric balloon.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty

Provides weight loss by restricting the amount of food consumed (mimics surgical sleeve gastrectomy).

This procedure involves endoscopic suture placement along the greater curvature of the stomach, decreasing stomach volume by approximately 60-70%.

This procedure includes a comprehensive approach by a multidisciplinary team who will address the nutritional and lifestyle changes needed to help with weight loss success.  Please check with your insurance provider to see if this procedure is covered.

Learn more about endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.

Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) may help achieve long-term weight loss, reduce or eliminate life-threatening weight-related illnesses, increase life span, and improve quality of life.

• Gastric Bypass Surgery
• Gastric Sleeve Surgery
• Revision Surgery

Our Healthy Living program offers a personalized concierge service designed to assist you with weight management, lifestyle improvements, and the establishment of healthy behaviors. This 10-month program includes both in-person and telemedicine visits with a registered dietitian and an advanced practice provider, all based on the latest clinical research to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.

Dietitian Support: Your dietitian will enhance your nutritional knowledge and provide the education needed to establish a healthy eating pattern. You will meet with your dietitian weekly for the first 2 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remaining 8 months.

Advanced Practice Provider Visits: During your visits with the advanced practice provider, we will review your medical history and educate you about FDA-approved weight loss medications*. These visits will occur every 2-3 months.

Educational Materials: Throughout the program, you will receive educational materials on diet, exercise, and behavior modifications to help you achieve your goals. You will also have access to the high-quality care provided by our UPMC providers.

If you are interested in learning more about our program, please call 412-641-6664.

*The Healthy Living Program is a self-pay program. Medications are not included in the cost.