A new non-surgical weight-loss procedure has shown promising results, says a gastroenterologist from the US, who is due to present the results of the study at the Digestive Disease Week in Washington on Sunday. This can potentially broaden people's weight-loss options.
Dr Christopher McGowan says the human-trialed endoscopic mucosal ablation is a procedure that specifically targets ghrelin, also known as the hunger hormone. This directly controls appetite – the higher your levels of ghrelin, the hungrier you get.
The hormone is primarily produced in the stomach, and the procedure ablates, or burns, the gastric lining to reduce its production. The six-month trial was conducted on 10 female patients with obesity, and results were generally positive, with the participants losing 7.7 per cent of their body weight on average. One woman, for example, lost 11.7kg.
The participants said their hunger leve ls decreased by more than a third, owing to a reduction of about 40 per cent in fasting ghrelin levels. Researchers also noted a 42 per cent reduction in stomach capacity after the procedure.
McGowan, who is a gastroenterologist and medical director of True You Weight Loss clinic, said obesity affects “overall health and quality of life” and, given massive global healthcare costs, “we need as many treatment options as possible”.
Perceived efficacy aside, the procedure is being touted as a less strenuous alternative to invasive weight loss treatments. The procedure starts with an endoscopist introducing fluid to protect stomach tissue. A tiny device is then used to burn the mucosal lining of the upper portion of the stomach, where feelings of hunger originate. This ablation reduces the number of ghrelin-producing cells.
“This relatively brief, outpatient, non-surgical procedure can significantly curb hunger, and could be an additional option for patients who don’t want or aren’t eligible for anti-obesity medications, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, or bariatric surgery,” said McGowan.
Before this trial, surgically removing or bypassing the gastric fundus was the only proven method to target ghrelin production. But such procedures are considered major medical treatments, with higher risks and longer operating and recovery times.
Ablation takes about 55 minutes to complete and patients are asked to avoid strenuous activities for three to five days. By comparison, a gastric bypass takes up to three hours with a recovery period of two to four weeks.
Further, no drug currently exists to reduce ghrelin.
“Obesity and weight are very complex and regulated by multiple hormone pathways. This procedure alters one of these many pathways that make it difficult for people to lose weight and maintain weight loss,” said McGowan.
He added longer trials are needed, involving more participants, to fully determine the procedure's potential. “This is just the beginning. The first question was whether we can endoscopically reduce hunger and ghrelin. The answer is – yes, we can.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
