Weight Doctors® hydroGMA targets the feeling of hunger. During a gastroscopy, the lining of the gastric fundus, where most of the hunger hormone ghrelin is produced, is ablated, without an incision and without a foreign body in the stomach. Whether the procedure suits you on its own or together with an endo-sleeve, we clarify in a personal consultation at Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf.
ablation about 15 to 25 minutes, examination around 40 minutes
Stay
usually outpatient
Back to everyday life
as a rule the next day
German health insurance
no cost coverage, self-pay service
Financing
possible through our financing partner
No incision: through a gastroscopy, usually as an outpatient
On its own or combined: possible together with an endo-sleeve in one procedure
Close by: consultation, preliminary examination and aftercare in Düsseldorf
hydroGMA in Düsseldorf: consultation and aftercare at Am Seestern
For many people who are overweight, hunger is stronger than any good intention. Weight Doctors® hydroGMA targets exactly this: during a gastroscopy, the lining of the gastric fundus is ablated in a targeted way, without an incision, without removing stomach tissue and without a foreign body that remains in the stomach.
You discuss whether the procedure suits you at Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf, together with the Weight Doctors, who have their obesity centre in the same building. You also attend the preliminary examinations and the aftercare here.
For your appointments you come to our specialist clinic in Lörick, on the left bank of the Rhine in the Am Seestern office district near the B7. The U77 runs from the main station to the Am Seestern stop without a change, and you can park on site free of charge.
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That hunger so often wins when losing weight is not a question of willpower, but a normal reaction of the body: when its energy reserves dwindle, it responds with signals that increase appetite. The hormone ghrelin plays an important role in this. Most of it is produced by cells in the lining of the upper stomach, the gastric fundus. During a diet, the ghrelin level can rise, precisely when persevering would be particularly important.
If the uppermost layer of the lining in the gastric fundus is ablated, ghrelin production can decrease and the feeling of hunger can ease; the effect can build up over a few weeks. Like GLP-1 therapy, hydroGMA thus targets the feeling of hunger, but does so without permanent medication.
However, ghrelin is not a simple switch: sleep, meals, other hormones, emotions and habits all play a part. The procedure is therefore supportive; long-term success requires a change in diet and exercise.
How hydroGMA works: ablation in three steps
hydroGMA is a gastric mucosal ablation. A gastroscope is inserted into the stomach through the mouth, and the probe of the MOVIVA® system, which combines a water jet and argon plasma in one instrument, is advanced through its working channel. The technique behind it, hybrid APC, has been used routinely in endoscopy for many years; for the treatment of overweight, the procedure is new.
Marking
The area in the gastric fundus to be treated is marked endoscopically. All steps are carried out with a single probe.
Protecting
A water jet injects a saline cushion under the lining, thus protecting the deeper layers of the stomach wall.
Ablating
Heated argon plasma ablates the uppermost layer of the lining, where the ghrelin-producing cells are located. This takes about 15 to 25 minutes, the entire examination around 40 minutes.
No stomach tissue is removed, and the shape of the stomach stays the same. The procedure is usually carried out under sedation or brief anaesthesia. Afterwards you recover in the recovery room and, as a rule, go home the same day.
hydroGMA on its own or together with the endo-sleeve
hydroGMA is possible as a treatment on its own or together with an endo-sleeve in one procedure. The ablation of the gastric fundus is the same for both paths; the difference lies in whether the stomach is additionally reduced from the inside with sutures. The endo-sleeve deliberately leaves out the upper part of the stomach, the gastric fundus, and that is exactly where hydroGMA works. In this way, a smaller stomach volume and less hunger come together.
hydroGMA alone
usually under sedation and, as a rule, as an outpatient. Often the suitable starting point if you would like a gentle endoscopic procedure without surgery.
hydroGMA with endo-sleeve
both steps in one session under general anaesthesia, first hydroGMA, then the endo-sleeve; hydroGMA extends the procedure by about 30 minutes. Afterwards, for safety reasons, you currently usually stay one night in the clinic for observation.
Initial data, some of which have not yet been conclusively published, tend to show greater weight loss for the combination than for hydroGMA alone. Which path makes sense depends on your starting weight, your goals and your medical history, and is decided together with you.
Who hydroGMA is an option for
Many people who are overweight know this cycle: at the start of a change in diet, things go well. But the more weight is lost, the louder the hunger seems to become, portions feel too small, and appetite turns into cravings.
hydroGMA is often suitable in these situations:
hydroGMA alone instead of injections
You would like to lose around 10 to 15 kg and prefer a procedure to regular injections.
hydroGMA alone instead of a gastric balloon
You would like to avoid the side effects of a gastric balloon: hydroGMA alone requires just a single procedure, and there is no second appointment for removal.
Together with the endo-sleeve
An endo-sleeve is an option for you, and strong hunger is your main obstacle: then the combination of both procedures in one session is worth considering.
Without surgery
You would be suitable for stomach surgery but rule out an operation: then the combination can be an option as a non-surgical alternative, accompanied by diet, exercise and coaching.
We always check personally whether hydroGMA suits you: in a consultation, with a gastroscopy and with a view to your medical history, your medication and your expectations. The treatment may not be suitable in cases including active stomach ulcers, severe clotting disorders, certain previous operations on the stomach, pregnancy or severe general illnesses.
Your path to hydroGMA
This is how hydroGMA proceeds if you are advised in Düsseldorf:
Step 1
Beforehand
Consultation in Düsseldorf. We discuss your previous attempts to lose weight, your health and your goals, and clarify whether hydroGMA on its own or together with an endo-sleeve makes sense. You can book your appointment online.
Step 2
Preparation
Checking suitability. A consultation and medical history, a gastroscopy and a look at medication, blood clotting and anaesthetic risk clarify whether anything speaks against the procedure. You come to the procedure with an empty stomach, as instructed by the doctor.
Step 3
Day of the procedure
The procedure in Wertheim. hydroGMA is carried out at the Weight Doctors® Nationalklinik in Wertheim, usually under sedation or brief anaesthesia and in around 40 minutes. Afterwards you recover in the recovery room and are discharged once the doctor has given clearance, as a rule as an outpatient.
Step 4
The next day
Back to everyday life. As a rule, you are back to your everyday life the very next day. A feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen is possible and usually temporary.
Step 5
The first weeks
Gentle diet and stomach protection. Following a specific plan, you initially eat a liquid and gentle diet and receive medication that protects the lining. During this time, the effect builds up.
Step 6
Afterwards
Aftercare in Düsseldorf. Follow-up appointments, also by video, the app and a personal coach accompany you while you change your diet and exercise.
What hydroGMA can achieve
hydroGMA has already been examined in studies, but it is a young procedure. So far, the data come mainly from small pilot studies.
In a first clinical study, ten women with obesity had lost an average of 7.7% of their starting weight six months after treatment; fasting ghrelin fell by more than 40%, and hunger and the desire to eat decreased. For hydroGMA alone, a loss of up to 15% of the starting weight after one year is reported, and tends to be more in combination with an endo-sleeve.
In the treatment of overweight, hydroGMA is not yet an established standard procedure; large long-term studies are still ongoing. Results vary from person to person and depend largely on diet and exercise; there is no guarantee.
Because the ghrelin-producing cells can form again over time, the feeling of hunger can return. A second hydroGMA is then possible in principle; there are no fixed recommendations yet on the timing.
What risks does hydroGMA carry?
As with any medical procedure, risks can occur. The most important at a glance:
Common and usually temporary
Nausea, upper abdominal pain or a feeling of pressure, a feeling of fullness, bloating and a sore throat; these usually subside on their own within a few days.
Rare
Bleeding, infections, ulcers of the lining, an injury to the stomach wall (perforation), scarring or reactions to the sedation or anaesthesia.
Also possible
insufficient weight loss or renewed weight gain; in rare cases, further treatment or surgery is necessary.
If complications such as bleeding or a perforation occur, the necessary measures are taken immediately, for example endoscopic haemostasis or closure of the perforation. The doctors inform you in detail about all risks before the procedure.
What does hydroGMA cost, and does German statutory health insurance pay?
Weight Doctors® hydroGMA is a self-pay service; German statutory health insurers do not cover it.
We will tell you the price on request and discuss your budget openly in the consultation at Klinik am Seestern. Financing is possible through our financing partner, more on this under Financing your treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What is hydroGMA?
Weight Doctors® hydroGMA is a gastric mucosal ablation, that is, a targeted ablation of the stomach lining. Through a gastroscopy, the uppermost layer of the lining of the gastric fundus is treated, where the cells that produce most of the hunger hormone ghrelin are located. The MOVIVA® system is used.
Is hydroGMA an operation?
No. The procedure is carried out through a gastroscopy, without an abdominal incision, without removing stomach tissue and without a foreign body that remains in the body. Nevertheless, it is a medical procedure with anaesthetic and procedural risks.
How long does the treatment take?
The ablation itself takes about 15 to 25 minutes, the entire examination around 40 minutes. Together with an endo-sleeve, hydroGMA extends the procedure by about 30 minutes.
When does hydroGMA take effect?
Not immediately. The effect can build up over a few weeks while the body breaks down the existing hunger hormone and the treated lining heals.
How much weight can I lose with hydroGMA?
In studies to date, up to 15% of the starting weight is reported with hydroGMA alone, and tends to be more in combination with an endo-sleeve. These are initial data, some of which have not yet been conclusively published. Results vary from person to person and depend heavily on diet and exercise; there is no guarantee.
Is hydroGMA already a standard procedure?
No. The underlying technique has been established in endoscopy for years. In the treatment of morbid obesity, however, hydroGMA is a new technique and not a standard procedure; the available data are currently limited. We advise you openly on this.
Does hydroGMA replace a change in diet?
No. The procedure can influence the feeling of hunger and support weight loss. For a long-term result, diet, exercise, behavioural change and aftercare remain decisive.
Can the treatment be repeated?
Yes. Because the ghrelin-producing cells can form again over time, the feeling of hunger can return; a second hydroGMA is then possible in principle. There are currently no generally applicable recommendations on the best timing.
What risks does hydroGMA carry?
Common and usually temporary are a feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen, nausea, a feeling of fullness or a sore throat. Rarely, bleeding, infections, an injury to the stomach wall (perforation), scarring or reactions to the sedation or anaesthesia are possible. Insufficient weight loss or renewed weight gain are also possible.
Who is hydroGMA not suitable for?
The treatment may not be suitable in cases including active stomach ulcers, severe clotting disorders, certain previous operations on the stomach, pregnancy or severe general illnesses. An individual assessment always takes place before the procedure.
Where does the procedure take place?
hydroGMA is carried out at the Weight Doctors® Nationalklinik in Wertheim, both on its own and together with an endo-sleeve. You can attend the consultation, the preliminary examinations and the aftercare at Klinik am Seestern in Düsseldorf.
What does hydroGMA cost, and does German statutory health insurance pay?
hydroGMA is a self-pay service; German statutory health insurers do not cover it. We will tell you the price on request and discuss your budget openly in the consultation. Financing is possible through our financing partner.
Where in Düsseldorf will I be advised?
At the Klinik am Seestern, Am Seestern 4 in 40547 Düsseldorf-Lörick. The clinic is on the left bank of the Rhine near the B7, the U77 runs directly from the main station to the Am Seestern stop, and there is free parking on the grounds.
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I am a lipoedema and lymphoedema patient and have been trying to find help for about 10 years. Here it was no problem at all! I was called in quickly, was well looked after, my questions were answered very professionally, and I was able to leave the practice in tears of joy! Many thanks for the support so far.
Alina · October 2026
The friendliness of everyone I dealt with.
Anonymous · July 2026
I had my appointment at the practice for a consultation about my lipoedema, and I really want to leave a review even though I haven't had any surgery there yet. The reason is that this was the first time I felt truly taken seriously during an examination of my lipoedema. Dr. Witt was very friendly and professional from the start, and at the same time incredibly pleasant and humane. He took an exceptional amount of time, examined me very thoroughly and answered all my questions in detail. He is incredibly respectful and explains realistically what could be done and how the whole process would work. I found it particularly positive that at no point did a hectic or unpleasant mood arise. You never had the feeling of being “brushed off” or being under time pressure. Instead, the whole atmosphere was calm, relaxed and trusting. Dr. Witt was very committed, photos were taken of the affected areas and every possible treatment was explained in an understandable way. Dr. Witt explained everything in detail, yet never came across as complicated or distant. Although he is an absolute specialist in his field, I felt at all times that I could speak openly and ask any question. It felt more as if I had been a patient there for a long time. It was also particularly important to me that I never felt pushed towards an operation. It is still not at all clear whether I will have my operation at all, and yet I was taken incredibly seriously and treated with respect. That is exactly what built so much trust in me. I would also very much like to mention the lady at reception, Marris, in a positive way. She was super polite, had a very pleasant and calm manner and immediately gave me a good feeling. Although it was almost 5 p.m. and the end of the working day was approaching, she was incredibly friendly to me and did not seem at all annoyed or stressed. It is precisely such little things that make a huge difference to me personally and reinforced my positive overall impression of the practice. The practice itself is also absolutely impressive. It is extremely modern, high-quality and stylishly furnished. You feel more as if you are entering a luxury hotel than a traditional doctor's practice. Everything seems very well thought out, calm and professional. The organisation around the appointment was also excellent. Even before the appointment, communication was always very friendly, quick and professional. Questions were answered immediately and the whole process seemed perfectly organised. I was also allowed to park in the clinic's car park, which was an enormous relief since everything in the area was completely full. Although it was already later in the afternoon, Dr. Witt even personally saw to it that enquiries were made internally about my question regarding costs. Shortly after I had left the practice, I already received all the information by email. That too simply shows how professionally and attentively they work there. Overall, an exceptionally positive experience, of a kind you unfortunately only rarely have in the medical field. Absolutely fabulous.
Kerasoula P. · June 2026
Very beautiful clinic, wonderful reception and great service. The consultation with the doctor was very comprehensive and she addressed all my questions, which is all you could wish for as a patient / customer. I will definitely have my treatment done here.
Sandra W. · April 2026
Dr. Bromba took the time and advised me very well.
Anonymous · April 2026
A very kind doctor. I felt very comfortable from the first moment!
Elisabeth-katrin · March 2026
Everything was great, just one small remark..... I didn't get any dinner/bread in the evening. The most important thing for me was the operation, or rather everything around it.
Mix · February 2026
I was welcomed and advised incredibly kindly. The consultation takes place on an equal footing and without medical jargon, and what I like best is that they paid attention to what the best treatment is for my concern, and not to what would earn the practice the most money. I took a week to think it over, but actually the decision to choose the clinic was made much sooner.
Anonymous · January 2026
Everyone was very friendly, especially the nurses.
Anonymous · October 2025
I had a consultation and felt taken seriously and understood. They took a lot of time for me, and the examination and the conversation were very thorough. In the end, the treatment is too expensive for me, so I won't be able to have it done.
Anonymous · October 2025
Very competent and friendly consultation.
Anonymous · October 2025
Very competent consultation, super friendly staff!
Anonymous · September 2025
Medical assistant with partly insufficient professional competence.
Andreas M. · August 2025
Very competent consultation and medical examinations. I feel very well looked after.
BrigitteM · August 2025
I really liked the super friendly manner of the ladies at reception, and also that the doctor took the time to see and advise me, as well as the nice lady who went through the cost plan with me. I felt wonderfully looked after and will definitely have my treatment there. Thank you once again for everything so far.
Astrid R. · August 2025
A conversation in peace and without time pressure. I felt very well looked after.
Anonymous · August 2025
I was welcomed very nicely. The doctor was also very nice and answered all my questions. She also showed understanding that one does not decide straight away.
Anonymous · July 2025
Dr. Bromba's calm, matter-of-fact manner and his competence really convinced me during the consultation.
