Novel endoscopic bariatric therapies: A glimpse into the future

The management of obesity generally consists of lifestyle interventions, which are often inadequate, or invasive surgery, that carries a high cost and strict eligibility requirements. The recent rise of endoscopic bariatric interventions has the potential to provide a minimally invasive, cost-effective, and reversible option for patients. Although a few of these therapies have already gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, many more are in various stages of development and clinical trials. These methods use a wide array of techniques, including reducing gastric capacity, limiting absorption, duodenal mucosal resurfacing, and creating intestinal diversion. This review focuses on these newer, nonFood and Drug Administration approved approaches, which have the potential to drastically change the landscape of bariatric interventional options in the near-term future.