Aspiration Therapy
A minimally invasive procedure that removes a portion of stomach contents after meals to reduce calorie absorption.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Aspiration therapy is a minimally invasive weight loss procedure that uses a small tube placed in the stomach to drain a portion of your meal contents after eating. It works by physically removing about 30% of the calories you consume before your body can absorb them. This procedure is designed to help patients who struggle to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Aspiration therapy involves the percutaneous placement of a gastrostomy tube connected to an external aspiration device. Approximately 20–30 minutes after a meal, the patient drains roughly 30% of gastric contents, reducing caloric absorption without altering gastrointestinal anatomy or inducing malabsorption. The AspireAssist device was FDA-approved in 2016 and is indicated for adults with a BMI of 35–55 kg/m² who have failed non-surgical weight loss attempts.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Aspiration therapy provides a reversible, non-anatomical-altering option for patients who are not candidates for or do not wish to undergo bariatric surgery. At Accord Medical Clinic, Dr. Joseph Wang can discuss whether aspiration therapy is appropriate for your weight management journey.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
