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Eligibility for weight loss procedures

Endoscopic weight loss procedures can give you the boost you need to achieve your weight loss goals. Use our BMI calculator to find out if you may be eligible. 

BMI calculator

Endura Weight Loss Solutions endoscopic procedures are suitable for adults with obesity, which is generally defined as a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher.1,2,3 

BMI is a measurement that factors in your weight and height to determine if you fall within a healthy range. It's calculated using a simple formula: weight in kilograms/height in meters squared.4

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Enter your height and weight below to calculate your BMI.

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Use this BMI calculator to understand whether endobariatric weight loss treatment could be right for you.

Knowing your BMI can make conversations with your doctor more focused and productive, helping you explore safe, personalised options for long-term weight loss.

BMI Category BMI Range
Underweight Below 18.5
Healthy weight 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight 25 – 29.9
Obese 30.0 or higher

Important information on BMI

BMI is a general measurement that doesn’t take into account factors such as body composition, muscle mass, age, or gender. 

It’s also important to note that people from an Asian, Black African, African-Caribbean, or Middle Eastern ethnic background have a higher chance of developing health problems at a lower BMI than other populations.4 For that reason, these people may be considered eligible for a weight loss procedure at a BMI of around 27.4-6 Check with your doctor to see if this is the case for you.

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Eligibility for Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) works by reducing the capacity of your stomach, helping you to eat less and feel full faster.8

It may be an option for you if you're an adult living with obesity and you haven't been able to lose weight or keep it off with diet and exercise alone.2  

ESG may not be suitable for you if: 

  • You're unable to have an upper endoscopy 
  • You're pregnant 
  • You're taking certain blood thinning medications 
  • You have a hiatal hernia 
  • You have stomach lesions that could bleed 
  • You have a history of eating disorders9 

ESG involves the use of an endoscopic device. Contraindications include those specific to use of an endoscopic suturing system, and any endoscopic procedure, which may include, but not limited to, the following:

  • Not for use where endoscopic techniques are contraindicated.
  • Not for use with malignant tissue.10

Your doctor can help you understand if ESG is right for you.

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Eligibility for an Intragastric Balloon

An Intragastric Balloon (IGB) is a soft balloon that's placed via the mouth into the stomach and then inflated, helping you adjust to smaller portion sizes to promote weight loss.11

An Intragastric Balloon may be an option if you're an adult with a BMI between 30-50 who has struggled to lose weight or keep it off through a supervised weight loss programme. It may also be suitable if you have a BMI 40 and above, or a BMI of 35 or above with weight -related health conditions, and need to lose weight before having obesity -related or other surgical procedures.12

To make the most of the procedure, it's also important that you're ready to commit to a healthy lifestyle and take part in a medically supervised programme.13

An IGB may not be right for you if: 

  • You have certain stomach or digestive conditions (such as large hiatal hernia, ulcers, or previous stomach surgery) 
  • You have ongoing gastrointestinal bleeding or blood-clotting problems 
  • You have serious heart, lung, or blood vessel disease 
  • You have ongoing alcohol or drug use, or certain psychiatric conditions 
  • You're pregnant 
  • You're taking regular blood-thinning or anti-inflammatory medicines14

IGB placement is contraindicated in the following situations: 

  • The presence of more than one IGB at the same time. 
  • Use of an IGB for weight loss for cosmetic reasons only. 
  • Use of an IGB for weight loss in patients with a BMI less than 30, unless accompanied by comorbidities associated with obesity that would be expected to improve with weight loss. 
  • Conditions posing risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as oesophageal or gastric varices, duodenal ulceration, cancer, or Crohn's disease. 
  • Prior surgery involving the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum or bariatric surgery. 
  • A large hiatal hernia of > 5cm or a hernia ≤ 5cm associated with severe or intractable gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms. 
  • Structural abnormalities in the oesophagus or pharynx such as a stricture or diverticulum that could impede passage of the delivery catheter and/or endoscope. 
  • Achalasia, symptoms suggestive of delayed gastric emptying, or presence of any other severe motility disorder that may pose a safety risk during placement or removal of the device. 
  • Gastric masses. 
  • Severe coagulopathy. 
  • Hepatic insufficiency or cirrhosis involving: 
    • Acute liver failure and advanced cirrhosis with encephalopathy muscle wasting and anasarca. 
    • Large oesophageal varices with red colour signs and gastric varices. 
    • Severe portal hypertensive gastropathy with or without gastric antral vascular ectasia. 
  • Known to have or suspected allergies to materials contained in the IGB device. 
  • Any other medical condition that would not permit elective endoscopy such as poor general health of history and/or symptoms of severe renal, hepatic, cardiac, and/or pulmonary disease. 
  • Serious or uncontrolled psychiatric illness or disorder that could compromise patient understanding of or compliance with follow-up visits and removal of the device at the recommended time. 
  • Alcoholism or drug addiction. 
  • Inability or unwillingness to take prescribed proton pump inhibitor medication for the duration of the device implant. 
  • Inability or unwillingness to participate in an established medically supervised diet and behaviour modification programme, with routine medical follow-up. 
  • Use of acetylsalicylic acid, anti-inflammatory agents, anticoagulants or other gastric irritants, not under medical supervision. 
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.12

Your doctor will go through your medical history in detail to make sure the procedure is safe for you.

Find an IGB doctor

Eligibility for Transoral Outlet Reduction

Transoral Outlet Reduction (TORe) is designed for people who have had gastric bypass or sleeve surgery and are finding it difficult to maintain their weight loss.15

TORe may not be suitable for you if: 

  • You have stomach conditions such as ulcers or erosive gastritis 
  • You have certain medical conditions affecting your heart, lungs, or blood vessels 
  • You have active gastrointestinal bleeding or blood-clotting problems 
  • You are using alcohol or drugs heavily, or have certain psychiatric conditions 
  • You are pregnant15

TORe involves the use of an endoscopic device. Contraindications include those specific to use of an endoscopic suturing system, and any endoscopic procedure, which may include, but not limited to, the following:

  • Not for use where endoscopic techniques are contraindicated.
  • Not for use with malignant tissue.10

Your doctor will review your medical history and perform an exam to ensure the procedure is safe and appropriate for you.

Find a TORe doctor
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References


  1. Reja D, et al. Endoscopic bariatrics: current therapies and future directions. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;7:21.
  2. Lopez-Nava G, et al. ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTROPLASTY FOR OBESITY TREATMENT: TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2017;30(1):18-20.
  3. Maselli DB, et al. Transoral outlet reduction: Outcomes of endoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass revision in 284 patients at a community practice. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2023;15(10):602-13.
  4. World Health Organization. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. WHO Technical Report Series, No. 894. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.
  5. World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight [Accessed 2026 September].
  6. NHS. Why weight loss surgery is done. NHS; 2025. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/weight-loss-surgery/why-its-done/ [Accessed 2026 September]
  7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Overweight and obesity management [NG246]. London: NICE; 2025 Jan 14. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng246 [Accessed 2026 September]
  8. Yoon JY, Arau RT; Study Group for Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Therapies of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. The efficacy and safety of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty as an alternative to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Clin Endosc. 2021;54(1):17-24.
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. De Novo classification request for: APOLLO ESG, APOLLO ESG SX, APOLLO REVISE, APOLLO REVISE SX systems: DEN210045 [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): FDA; 2022. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/DEN210045.pdf [Accessed 2026 September].
  10. Endoscopic Suturing System Instructions for Use. Available at IFU-BSCI.com.
  11. Lari E, et al. Intra-gastric balloons - the past, present and future. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Feb 2;63:102138.
  12. Intragastric Balloon Instructions for Use. Available at IFU-BSCI.com.
  13. Crossan K, Sheer AJ. Intragastric Balloon. [Updated 2023 Jan 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578184/ [Accessed 2026 September].
  14. Kim SH, et al. Current status of intragastric balloon for obesity treatment. World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(24):5495-504.
  15. Simons-Linares CR, et al. Comparing Outcomes of Classic Transoral Outlet Reduction (TORe) Versus Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection-TORe: A Randomized Controlled Trial [Internet]. ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol NCT06131281. 2023. Available from: https://cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/81/NCT06131281/Prot_SAP_000.pdf [Accessed 2026 September].

 

CAUTION: The law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Indications, contraindications, warnings and instructions for use can be found at IFU-BSCI.com. Products shown for INFORMATION purposes only and may not be approved or for sale in certain countries. This material is not intended for use in France. 

Content of this material is for Information Purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Boston Scientific strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health or to address any questions. There are risks associated with all medical procedures. Please talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits associated. 

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