Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

Bariatric surgery devices refer to the tools and instruments used by surgeons to perform weight loss surgery on patients who are severely obese. These devices help in reducing the size of the stomach and/or bypassing part of the digestive system to promote weight loss.

Bariatric surgery has become increasingly popular as an effective treatment for obesity and related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. The market for bariatric surgery devices is growing rapidly, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and an increasing number of surgical procedures being performed worldwide.

The most common types of bariatric surgery devices include staplers, gastric bands, gastric balloons, and surgical instruments. Staplers are used to create a small pouch in the stomach that restricts the amount of food a person can consume. Gastric bands are placed around the stomach to reduce its size, while gastric balloons are inserted into the stomach to create a feeling of fullness.

In recent years, there has been significant innovation in the development of bariatric surgery devices. For example, there has been a shift towards using minimally invasive techniques, which involve smaller incisions and less pain for patients. This has led to the development of new surgical instruments that can be used in these procedures.

In addition, there has been an increase in the use of robotic-assisted surgery for bariatric procedures. This involves the use of robotic instruments that are controlled by a surgeon to perform precise movements during surgery. This technology has been shown to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

The market for bariatric surgery devices is highly competitive, with a number of major players vying for market share. Some of the key companies in this space include Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Apollo Endosurgery, and Olympus Corporation.

There has also been a significant amount of mergers and acquisitions activity in the bariatric surgery device market in recent years. For example, in 2019, Apollo Endosurgery acquired the obesity intervention division of Allergan, which included the LAP-BAND system, a popular gastric banding device. This acquisition helped to strengthen Apollo Endosurgery's position in the bariatric surgery device market.

Dynamics of Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

Drivers in Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

The market for bariatric surgery devices is being driven by several factors, including the increasing number of cases of obesity worldwide and subsequent rise in bariatric surgeries. Bariatric surgery has become more popular over the years, as it is considered to be safer and more effective than traditional medical approaches. In 2019, there were 252,000 bariatric surgeries performed in the United States alone, representing a slight increase from the previous year. This growing number of surgeries is expected to lead to an increase in demand for associated equipment and devices, driving the growth of the global market. The use of minimally invasive devices for bariatric surgery has helped to lower morbidity rates and reduce post-operative trauma, leading to an increase in the adoption of such devices. The market is also being driven by technological advancements in stapling, suturing, and vascular sealing tools. Additionally, the growing incidence rate of obesity in adults and advancements in robotic technologies are further propelling the market growth. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends bariatric surgery for people with diabetes mellitus and suggests earlier consideration of surgery. These developments are expected to boost market growth in the coming years. Furthermore, increasing reimbursement coverage and sponsored bariatric surgeries by the regional governments of developed nations are also expected to contribute to market growth.

Challenges in Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

Postoperative Complications of Bariatric Surgery

The minimally invasive approach to bariatric surgery offers many benefits such as decreased pain, shorter hospital stays, and fewer wound complications. However, these surgeries come with certain risks such as internal hernias, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic nausea and vomiting, severe dumping syndrome, ulcers, malnutrition, and inflammatory bowel disease. These complications pose a challenge for the bariatric surgery industry.

Restraint in Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

Uncertainty in the Regulatory Environment of the Medical Device Industry

Emerging countries such as India and South Korea are working to establish regulatory frameworks that distinguish between medical devices and pharmaceutical devices & instruments. However, due to the lack of a clear distinction between drugs and devices, the approval process is currently unstable, resulting in delays. This uncertainty in the regulatory environment is expected to increase the approval time for surgical instruments, thus restraining market growth to a certain extent. In addition, the high cost of surgical devices is a significant restraint on the growth of the bariatric surgery device market. The introduction of cutting-edge surgical devices and technological innovation is driving up the cost of equipment, leading to increased overall healthcare expenses. Expensive equipment maintenance is also hindering business expansion. However, mounting government funding for R&D programs for bariatric surgery devices is expected to overcome this constraint.

Ecosystem of Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

The bariatric surgery devices market is segmented into two categories based on device type, namely minimally invasive surgical devices and noninvasive surgical devices. During the forecast period, the minimally invasive surgical devices segment held the largest market share. Laparoscopic procedures are preferred over open weight loss surgical procedures as they involve fewer incisions, which are smaller in size and lead to less pain, faster recovery, and significantly lower complication and mortality rates. These advantages are expected to boost the market growth of minimally invasive surgical devices.

The market for bariatric surgery devices is segmented based on procedure into sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, revision bariatric surgery, noninvasive bariatric surgery, mini-gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS). The sleeve gastrectomy segment accounted for the largest share of the global market. The increasing popularity of sleeve gastrectomy can be attributed to its advantages such as safety, effectiveness, affordability, and limited complications compared to other bariatric procedures. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the removal of a portion of the stomach, resulting in a smaller stomach size and decreased appetite. Sleeve gastrectomy is recommended for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 30 or higher with at least one obesity-related health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The growing prevalence of obesity and related health conditions is expected to fuel the demand for sleeve gastrectomy and drive the growth of the bariatric surgery devices market.

In the past, gastric bypass surgeries were performed through open surgery, which involved making large incisions on the belly. However, with the introduction of laparoscopic bypass surgeries, conventional methods have been overtaken. Laparoscopic surgery is performed with small minimal incisions, making it more convenient for patients. This minimally invasive technique involves making the stomach into a small pouch, allowing minimal food to pass into the small intestine. Bypassing the small intestine results in lesser nutrient and fat absorption, leading to weight loss.

Despite gastric bypass surgeries dominating the bariatric surgery devices market, it is anticipated that sleeve gastrectomy will be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period. Sleeve gastrectomy has recently been approved by the FDA and is an incision-less surgery, which has led to its rising popularity. In recent years, this procedure has witnessed several developments. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), out of 180,000 surgeries performed, sleeve gastrectomy accounted for the major share (44%) followed by gastric bypass. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the CMS Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy National Care Determination, which provides coverage for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Regional Insights

During the forecast period, North America held the largest share of the bariatric surgery devices market among the five major regions including Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The region's dominance can be attributed to various factors such as the high prevalence of chronic diseases, rising rates of obesity and diabetes, increasing healthcare expenditure, a growing number of bariatric surgeries, and a rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries. In contrast, Europe is experiencing a surge in obesity rates with Ireland recording the highest numbers. The WHO has reported on the European Modelling Obesity Project, highlighting the healthcare cost burden and interventions required to address this issue. As a result, governments are funding academic institutions to develop innovative strategies.

According to recent statistics, the Asia Pacific region is experiencing the highest growth rate of over 10.5% due to a large obese population and increased medical tourism with affordable bariatric surgery options. In Europe, a report by the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) in 2019 showed that there were 152,000 bariatric surgeries conducted in 2018, with sleeve gastrectomy being the most commonly performed procedure at 58.4% of all surgeries, followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at 28.1%. In North America, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) estimated that 252,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the United States in 2019, while in Canada, approximately 12,000 surgeries were conducted in 2018. In South America, limited data is available, but a 2019 review reported 103,484 bariatric surgeries in Brazil in 2017, with sleeve gastrectomy being the most common procedure at 59.7%. Bariatric surgery is less common in Africa, with a total of 4,266 surgeries performed from 2000 to 2019, and sleeve gastrectomy being the most commonly performed procedure at 64.5%. Finally, bariatric surgery is becoming more common in the Asia Pacific region, with approximately 160,000 surgeries performed in 2018, and sleeve gastrectomy being the most commonly performed procedure at 71.3%.

Dominating Companies in Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

• JOHNSON & JOHNSON
• MEDTRONIC PLC
• INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC.
• OLYMPUS CORPORATION
• APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
• RESHAPE LIFESCIENCES INC.
• SPATZ MEDICAL
• COUSIN BIOTECH
• MEDIFLEX SURGICAL PRODUCTS
• B. BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
• STANDARD BARIATRICS, INC.
• RICHARD WOLF GMBH
• MEDSIL
• GRENA LTD
• SURGICAL INNOVATIONS GROUP PLC
• A.M.I. GMBH
• REACH SURGICAL
• SILIMED INDUSTRIA DE IMPLANTES LTDA.
• COOK MEDICAL LLC
• SHANGHAI YISI MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
• BOWA-ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO. KG
• TROKAMED GMBH
• ASPIRE BARIATRICS, INC.
• VICTOR MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD.
• APPLIED MEDICAL RESOURCES CORPORATION
• Integra Life Sciences Holding Corporation
• CONMED
• Ethicon Inc.
• W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
• TransEnterix Inc.
• Allergan Inc.
• Covidien Plc
• GI Dynamics Inc.
• USGI Medical Inc.
• Semiled Ltd.

Recent Developments in Bariatric Surgery Devices Market

• In March 2021, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies announced that it had completed the acquisition of Lumenis Ltd.'s surgical business. Lumenis is a leading manufacturer of laser and energy-based devices used in minimally invasive surgery, including bariatric procedures.
• In September 2020, Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. announced a strategic partnership with Distalmotion to commercialize the latter's surgical robot, named Dexter. This partnership is expected to expand the market for Apollo's bariatric surgery devices and provide a more efficient and precise solution for surgeons.
• In November 2019, Medtronic plc announced the acquisition of Klue, a company that specializes in developing software for automatic identification and tracking of hand gestures. Medtronic plans to integrate this technology into its robotic-assisted surgical systems used in bariatric and other surgeries.
• In May 2019, Boston Scientific Corporation completed the acquisition of Vertiflex, Inc., a manufacturer of minimally invasive spinal surgery devices. While this acquisition is not directly related to bariatric surgery, it represents a trend towards minimally invasive surgical procedures, which is also relevant for bariatric surgery devices.
• In February 2019, Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. announced a partnership with Medtronic plc to distribute its products in the United States. The partnership enables Medtronic to expand its portfolio of bariatric surgery devices, while Apollo gains access to a broader customer base.
• In 2021, Apollo Endosurgery, a company that develops medical devices for weight loss, announced a merger with Lpath, a biotechnology company. The combined company will focus on developing medical devices and therapies to address obesity and other gastrointestinal disorders.
• In 2019, Medtronic, a leading medical technology company, acquired Klue, a start-up company that develops wearable technology for tracking eating behaviors. Medtronic plans to integrate Klue's technology into its bariatric surgery devices to help patients monitor their food intake and make healthier choices.
• In 2019, Boston Scientific, a medical technology company, acquired Vertiflex, a company that develops minimally invasive spinal implants. While this acquisition was not directly related to bariatric surgery devices, it demonstrates Boston Scientific's commitment to expanding its portfolio of minimally invasive medical devices.
• In 2018, Intuitive Surgical, a company that develops surgical robots, announced a partnership with Johnson & Johnson to develop a new surgical robot for bariatric surgeries. The robot, which is still in development, is designed to make bariatric surgeries safer and more effective.

Overall, the market for bariatric surgery devices is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by the rising prevalence of obesity and an increasing demand for effective treatments. As new technologies and devices continue to emerge, the market is likely to become even more competitive, with companies striving to stay ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and product development.