From 2026 onwards, the hospital has been authorised to perform 12 endoscopic gastroplasties per year, representing a step forward in the comprehensive management of obesity as a chronic, complex disease. The programme is organised through the Functional Obesity Unit of the Hospital’s Institute of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases and is led by a team headed by Dr Joan Llach, specialist in the Gastroenterology Department, and Dr Maria Pellisé, Head of the Endoscopy Section in the same department.
A technique that reduces stomach size without surgery
Endoscopic gastroplasty involves suturing the inside of the stomach using an endoscope inserted through the mouth, without the need for skin incisions or removal of any part of the organ. These sutures reduce gastric capacity and enhance the feeling of fullness, helping to decrease food intake and achieve sustained weight loss over time.
Moreover, as a minimally invasive technique, it is generally associated with less postoperative pain and a shorter recovery period compared with traditional bariatric surgery.
An intermediate option between medication and bariatric surgery
In the management of obesity, endoscopic gastroplasty sits as an intermediate option between weight-loss medications, such as GLP-1 analogues, and bariatric surgery.
“This technique is particularly useful for people with obesity who have not achieved sufficient results with lifestyle changes and medical treatments, but who are not candidates for—or do not wish to undergo—major surgery,” explains Joan Llach.
Dr Maria Pellisé adds: “We are pleased to be the first public centre in Catalonia to offer this therapeutic alternative, always within a comprehensive view of obesity treatment and the multidisciplinary framework of the Obesity Unit.”
