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The origin of our technologies

Weight Doctors SLEEVE® pose® procedure

A pioneer of today’s stomach reduction without surgery: during a gastroscopy, the stomach is folded from the inside. Today we use pose® only in its further-developed form in the Weight Doctors SLEEVE®.

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How your therapy is structured

Two building blocks.
One plan.

The Weight Doctors® MEMBERSHIP is the foundation of every therapy: medical oversight, progress monitoring and aftercare. The treatment you choose together with your specialist builds on it.

Building block 1

Weight Doctors® MEMBERSHIP

The foundation for every Weight Doctors® therapy – with the tools that support your treatment and record your progress for your medical consultations.

  • Weight Doctors® AppKeep an eye on weight, activity and sleep, for iOS and Android
  • Digital body scalesBluetooth scales – the readings flow straight into the app
  • 3D BodyscanMeasure body composition objectively, up to twice a year
  • Priority access to specialistsby phone, video or on site, without a long wait
  • 360 coaches and Weight Doctors® MiraNutrition and behaviour in everyday life, aftercare with your coaches
  • E-prescription servicePrescriptions issued digitally – after medical approval
More on the Membership
Building block 2

Weight Doctors SLEEVE® pose® procedure

A pioneer of today’s stomach reduction without surgery: during a gastroscopy, the stomach is folded from the inside. Today we use pose® only in its further-developed form in the Weight Doctors SLEEVE®.

Procedure
Endoscopic, designed to be permanent
Duration
approx. 45 minutes
Price
from €5,500
Costs

The membership does not replace a medical decision: whether treatment makes sense, and which treatment is appropriate, is decided by your specialist after a medical assessment.

In comparison

First generation and today

Both work with anchors and threads during a gastroscopy. They differ in where and how much the stomach is reduced.

  • pose® (first generation)

    The predecessor
    Site of action
    Stomach entrance and stomach exit
    Stomach reduction
    by about 30%
    Use at Weight Doctors®
    no longer in this form

  • Further development

    In use today
    Site of action
    along the entire length of the stomach
    Stomach reduction
    by up to 75%
    Use at Weight Doctors®
    in all major procedures of the Weight Doctors SLEEVE®

Personally here for youDr. Nava Zimmer · Internal medicine and gastroenterology

Your guide

The pose® procedure at a glance

How an idea became the first permanent stomach reduction without surgery – and what of it is in the Weight Doctors SLEEVE® today.

The beginnings of pose® technology

The pose® technology was developed by the US company USgi Medical; the name stands for “Primary Obesity Surgery Endoluminal”. The researchers and developers started from a simple consideration: severe excess weight limits many people not only in their quality of life, but also weighs on their outward appearance, their emotional strength and their health – often for years. Medically, for a long time there were only complex approaches with long recovery and significant risks.

After many years of research, pose® emerged: a technology with which the stomach could be reduced permanently for the first time without operating. It combined the permanence of an operation with the advantages of a simple gastroscopy and thus became a pioneer of today’s stomach reduction without surgery.

pose® is regarded as a particularly gentle procedure within minimally invasive obesity treatment. Minimally invasive means: interfering with the integrity of the body as little as possible and leaving as few traces as possible. Even today’s further-developed generation is so gentle that those around you often barely notice the procedure.

Stomach after the pose® procedure with folds in the upper area and before the stomach exit, the former stomach size outlined in red
The stomach after the original pose® procedure: folded in the upper area and before the stomach exit – the red line shows the former size.

Personal consultation

Curious to know more?

Simply leave your contact details here. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Advantages of the pose® procedure

  • Designed for the long termThe stomach reduction is not limited in time. This can help to control the feeling of hunger better in the long term.
  • No incisionsThere is no external incision, and no scars remain.
  • OutpatientUnlike surgical alternatives, the procedure can be carried out as an outpatient, without a hospital stay.
  • Quickly back to everyday lifeAs a rule, you are socially presentable again after 3–4 days and can return to family and work.

Who is the procedure suitable for?

The original pose® was suited above all to smaller weight-loss goals; the further development has shifted this limit. At a glance:

  • For many people who are severely overweight or have obesity with a BMI of more than 27.
  • In its further-developed form in the Weight Doctors SLEEVE®, up to a BMI of about 50, in exceptional cases also above.
  • Whether the treatment is right for you, we clarify together in a personal consultation with an obesity specialist.
  • The treatment helps only as much as you are prepared to change your lifestyle in the long term.
  1. BMI from 27Endo sleeve (up to BMI 40)
  2. BMI from 35Extended Sleeve and Extended Sleeve+ (up to BMI 49)
BMI scale according to the WHOCalculate your BMI

How the procedure works

The procedure took about 45 minutes, under general anaesthesia:

Endoscopic instrument in the specialist’s hand, the monitor in the background
  1. Access via the oesophagusThe procedure is endoscopic: special miniature tools reach the stomach via the oesophagus.
  2. Placing anchorsSmall anchors puncture the inner stomach wall. Depending on constitution, starting weight and stomach size, the specialists place 10–16 anchors.
  3. Forming foldsOnce the anchors are secure, they are connected with special threads. This creates stomach folds, and the stomach is drawn together.
  4. Two points of actionFolds at the stomach entrance can make you feel full sooner, folds at the stomach exit can prolong the feeling of fullness. The stomach volume falls by about 30%.

How safe was pose®?

pose® was used more than ten thousand times worldwide and examined in extensive medical studies. In direct comparison with other well-known obesity therapies, two things stood out in particular: a high level of patient safety and good comfort after the treatment, because side effects are mostly much milder.

On this basis, our specialists work with the further development today. Every procedure is preceded by a personal consultation, information on the procedure and the assessment of whether it is indicated by a specialist.

Nurse planning the day’s procedures on the whiteboard
  • GermanyPD Dr. WichmannSpecialist in visceral surgery & expert in endobariatrics
  • GermanyNetherlandsDr. ScheffelSpecialist in general and bariatric surgery
  • GermanyAustriaProf. MillerSpecialist in general and visceral surgery

All specialists

Personal consultation

Curious to know more?

Simply leave your contact details here. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

What results were possible?

Scientific studies have shown that with pose®, excess weight could be reduced by 30–40% on average within 2 years. Compared with conventional therapies, patients lost considerably more weight.

At least as important as the figures: a permanent stomach reduction can help to avoid the yo-yo effect, which brings the kilos back after many diets. Results vary from person to person – they depend on how consistently you change your diet and exercise habits. We support you in this, for example with Weight Doctors® 360° nutrition coaching.

Results vary from person to person. The images show Weight Doctors® patients who have consented to their publication.

All success stories

From pose® to pose® 3.0 Double Helix

Today we are consistently developing pose® technology further. The latest generation, pose® 3.0 Double Helix, no longer reduces the stomach only at its entrance and exit, but along its entire length – by up to 75%. This also makes considerably higher weight-loss goals achievable.

It is used in all major procedures of the Weight Doctors SLEEVE®. Your contacts at Weight Doctors® help you find the suitable procedure and support you with nutrition and exercise programmes on the way to a healthier lifestyle. If you would rather be treated without nickel, choose OverStitch NXT™.

Weight Doctors® lounge with green sofas and logo on the wall

What does the Weight Doctors SLEEVE® cost today – and what does the German health insurance pay?

We no longer offer the original pose® procedure. The Weight Doctors SLEEVE® with the further development is available from €5,500, including private medical preliminary examination and aftercare.

Where there is a medical indication in line with the guidelines, there is a chance of cost coverage by your German statutory health insurance – without prior application: before the procedure, we check all the requirements for you. Without cost coverage, the treatment is possible as a self-pay service. This is how the costs are divided:

What statutory health insurance pays*

  • Surgery by a specialist
  • Anaesthesia
  • Materials and medication in the clinic
  • Double room at the Nationalklinik
  • Informed consent discussion
  • Aftercare in the clinic
  • No follow-up cost insurance needed

* For patients with German statutory health insurance: if the medical indication is established in line with the DGAV guidelines, reimbursement may be possible.

What you pay privately

  • Private medical pre- and post-treatment examinations

MMK+ programme

multimodal programme including Weight Doctors® MEMBERSHIP all-in

  • App with Weight Doctors® Mira, body scales and 3D Bodyscan
  • Specialists around the clock
  • Personal coach
  • Telemedicine and e-prescription
  • Communication with the German health insurer
  • Free choice of clinic for preliminary examination and aftercare
Two paths to stomach reduction on German health insurance

Usual pathwith an advance application to the German health insurer

Weight Doctors®Without advance application

ConsultationInitial consultation and indication
MMKSix months of nutrition, exercise and psychology
ApplicationApplication for cost coverage with all documents to the German health insurer
Expert reportReview by the Medical Service
DecisionWaiting for the decision – appeal if rejected
SurgeryProcedure after approval
ConsultationWe check your medical indication: BMI, related conditions, previous attempts to lose weight.
MMKSix months of nutrition, exercise and psychology – we organise all the appointments. With a primary indication, it is not required.
Final checkBefore surgery, we check all the requirements for you. You do not have to speak to your German health insurer.No advance application
SurgeryYour procedure – billing with your German health insurer follows directly after surgery.

* For patients with German statutory health insurance: if the medical indication is established in line with the DGAV guidelines, reimbursement may be possible.

More on cost coverageAll prices

Paying in instalments: how it works

If you would like to spread the costs over a longer period, payment in instalments via our partner medipay is possible. You decide the instalment amount and term yourself; medipay reviews your application promptly. You submit the application together with us during your consultation, by phone or entirely paperless online – more under Pay in instalments.

The requirement is sufficient creditworthiness. In detail:

  • Main residence in Germany
  • no negative Schufa entries
  • employed or retired, with disposable income
  • Students, trainees and homemakers can enter a second person from the same household as the borrower – a parent, child, spouse or partner

From just €199 a month** Financing via medipay, subject to credit approval.

Apply for instalmentsMore on instalments

Instagram · pose® procedure

Up close

Insights from the clinic, team and treatment – short and real, just like on our Instagram channel.

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Your specialists

In specialist hands.

39 doctors in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and South Africa – at the Weight Doctors® Nationalklinik in Wertheim and at your location.

  • GermanyNetherlandsDr. ScheffelSpecialist in general and bariatric surgery
  • GermanyAustriaProf. MillerSpecialist in general and visceral surgery
  • GermanyPD Dr. WichmannSpecialist in visceral surgery & expert in endobariatrics
  • GermanyM. MargolinsSpecialist in general surgery
  • GermanyM. ShalabiSpecialist in general and visceral surgery
  • GermanyNetherlandsDr. JennerSpecialist in visceral surgery / specialised visceral surgery
  • GermanyDr. SchüderSpecialist in general, visceral and vascular surgery / specialist in specialised visceral surgery
  • GermanyA. SaberSpecialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
  • NetherlandsProf. GreveSpecialist in visceral and bariatric surgery
  • South AfricaDr. HanningtonSpecialist in surgery
  • South AfricaDr. MabeSpecialist in surgery
  • South AfricaDr. WolmaransSpecialist in surgery
  • GermanyDr. JohnSpecialist in internal medicine & gastroenterology
  • GermanyNetherlandsDr. MörmelSpecialist in internal medicine

All specialists

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Weight Doctors SLEEVE® pose® procedure

Your question isn’t listed? Your specialist will take time for it during the consultation.

What does pose® mean?

pose® stands for “Primary Obesity Surgery Endoluminal”, that is, a treatment of obesity from inside the stomach. It was developed by the US company USgi Medical.

How exactly does stomach reduction without surgery work?

The specialist guides miniature tools through the oesophagus into the stomach and creates folds there, which are held by tiny anchors. With the original pose®, this was done at the upper and lower end of the stomach: studies show that these folds can help you feel full after even small amounts and stay full for longer.

Is the original pose® procedure still offered?

No. At Weight Doctors®, we use pose® only in its further-developed form: pose® 3.0 Double Helix in the Weight Doctors SLEEVE®.

How long did the procedure take?

About 45 minutes, under general anaesthesia. The procedure was possible as an outpatient; a hospital stay was not necessary.

How many anchors are placed?

With the original pose®, the specialists placed 10–16 anchors, depending on constitution, starting weight and stomach size.

Will scars remain?

No. The procedure is carried out through the oesophagus in the stomach itself; there is no incision on the outside.

When are you socially presentable again?

As a rule after 3–4 days, that is, after a long weekend. This also applies to today’s further-developed generation.

Am I suitable for treatment at all?

We find this out together in a personal consultation with an obesity specialist. Endoscopic stomach reduction is an option for many people with severe excess weight or obesity from a BMI of 27.

How safe is pose® technology?

Compared with classic obesity surgery procedures, the risks are lower, and side effects after the treatment are mostly milder. It nevertheless remains a medical procedure with risks – that is why we inform you thoroughly beforehand.

How much weight can I lose?

In many cases it is up to 20% of the starting weight; this corresponds to about 30–40% of the excess weight. How much you lose depends on your individual circumstances and on how persistently you actively support the treatment. Results vary from person to person.

Can stomach reduction protect against the yo-yo effect?

It can help. After many diets the kilos come back quickly; a permanent stomach reduction can lower this risk because it influences the feeling of hunger in the long term. What remains decisive is that you change your lifestyle in the long term.

What if I want to lose more weight?

For this there are now Extended Sleeve and Extended Sleeve+ in the Weight Doctors SLEEVE® – for weight-loss goals of up to about 50 kg. For even higher goals, an operation from Weight Doctors BARIATRICS® may be an option.

Why Weight Doctors®

Good reasons for Weight Doctors®.

Specialised in one thing: lasting weight loss – from medication to surgery, with specialists at your location and our own Nationalklinik.

  • 23Locations in 6 countries
  • 39specialists
  • 5×ProvenExpert Top Recommendation in a row
  • 9treatments from gentle to surgical
ProvenExpert Top Recommendation 2022ProvenExpert Top Recommendation 2023ProvenExpert Top Recommendation 2024ProvenExpert Top Recommendation 2025ProvenExpert Top Recommendation 2026

All 13 reasons

As seen on TV & in the media

  • BILD
  • DIE WELT
  • ARD
  • Galileo
  • ProSieben
  • WAZ
  • SWR
  • Frankfurter Allgemeine
  • Brigitte
  • Apotheken Umschau
  • Handelsblatt
  • Hamburger Abendblatt
  • Main-Echo
  • Berliner Morgenpost
  • Gala
  • Bild der Frau
  • FOCUS
  • sonnenklar.TV
  • Süddeutsche Zeitung
  • Bild der Frau Schlank & fit
  • Fränkische Nachrichten
  • Klassik Radio
  • Mannheimer Morgen
  • Radio Gong 96.3
  • Stuttgarter Zeitung
Other treatments

All paths.
From gentle to surgical.

Every method has its place. Here you can see at a glance how major the procedure is, how long it takes and what starting price you can expect.

Wide range of services
no procedure
Surgery
Long-lastingNewAt the Weight Doctors® Nationalklinik

Weight Doctors® hydroGMA

Endoscopic, no incisions

Losing weight without medication: lowering the hunger hormone endoscopically – no surgery, no incisions. On its own or combined with an endo sleeve.

Durationapprox. 30 min
Priceon request
More on Weight Doctors® hydroGMA
You are hereNo surgeryHealth insurance cover also possible*

Weight Doctors SLEEVE®

Endoscopic, permanent

Permanent stomach reduction without conventional surgery – endoscopic, outpatient, without scars.

Duration30–60 min
Pricefrom €5,500or from €199 a month*
More on Weight Doctors SLEEVE®
With surgeryHealth insurance cover also possible*

Weight Doctors BARIATRICS®

Surgical, minimally invasive

Gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery for higher BMIs, incl. private medical preliminary examination and aftercare.

Duration2–4 nights
Pricefrom €2,900or from €278 a month*
More on Weight Doctors BARIATRICS®

* For patients with German statutory health insurance: if the medical indication is established in line with the DGAV guidelines, reimbursement may be possible.

All treatments

Locations

Consultation at many locations

Which form of stomach reduction without surgery suits you, you can discuss with us at one of our locations. You can find films about treatments and patient stories beforehand in our media library. Enter your postcode or choose your city:

Your entry stays in your browser – the search runs without third-party services.

Stomach reduction in WertheimStomach reduction in AachenStomach reduction in BerlinStomach reduction in DortmundStomach reduction in DüsseldorfStomach reduction in EindhovenStomach reduction in FrankfurtStomach reduction in FreiburgStomach reduction in HamburgStomach reduction in HanoverStomach reduction in HeidelbergStomach reduction in LeipzigStomach reduction in MunichStomach reduction in NurembergStomach reduction in SalzburgStomach reduction in StuttgartStomach reduction in Wiesbaden
Consultation

On to your Weight Doctors® Experience.

The first step is a conversation: choose your treatment, location and appointment online here – consultation on site, by video or by phone.

  • 100% no obligation
  • One-to-one with your specialist
  • Appointments online, around the clock
  • 23 locations in 6 countries
Find a location near you

Health insurance cover also possible*

Prefer to call? 0800 84 84 777Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pm · Sat 9 am–3 pm

* For patients with German statutory health insurance: if the medical indication is established in line with the DGAV guidelines, reimbursement may be possible.

Weight Doctors® at 23 locations in 6 countries23 locations

Which location is closest to you?0800 84 84 777

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Do you have a question?

Write to us – our team will get in touch with you personally.