Everything You Need to Know About Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

For many people, losing weight can be a lifelong struggle. Even with exercise and a healthy diet, some people find it nearly impossible to put a dent in their weight loss. Countless hours at the gym and depriving oneself of delicious food often doesn’t show the desired results.

Health issues like thyroid irregularities, diabetes, age, and low metabolism can make it nearly impossible for some people to maintain a healthy weight. For those that have struggled for years, weight gain may be nearing the edge of obesity which in itself carries further health complications and risks.

There are various complex surgeries that can help people lose weight by minimizing the size of the stomach. Although these procedures can be successful, they often carry a higher possibility of complications and aren’t suitable for some patients that have other health problems.

The introduction of the non-invasive procedure called the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has revolutionized how the medical field helps patients who are struggling with obesity. This simple procedure can be done without making any incisions, and is designed to reduce the size of the stomach using an innovative sleeve. In this article, we will explore this revolutionary procedure and answer your questions about how ESG could benefit you and your weight loss journey.

What Is ESG?

An endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty may seem complex given its long name, but the procedure itself is relatively simple. With more complicated bariatric surgeries like laparoscopic or bariatric bypass, patients are subject to major surgery and incision. The non-invasive ESG procedure doesn’t require an incision allowing patients a faster and more comfortable recovery time.

When the ESG procedure is complete, the stomach is reduced in size. This reduced volume results in fewer calories being consumed at every meal. With a calorie-reduced diet, patients have much higher weight loss success.

During the ESG procedure, the scope is inserted through the mouth and down into the stomach. There, the stomach is stitched together at a gathering point reducing the overall size. The stitching creates a folded “accordion” type shape to the stomach making the volume smaller. The procedure itself is very fast, non-invasive, and painless for patients.

Who Can Benefit From ESG?

Patients who are considered obese, measured by their Body Mass Index (BMI) are best suited for the ESG procedure. If there is a BMI of over 30, patients are considered to be medically obese and suitable for this process.

Patients that have had no success with a traditional weight loss program of diet and exercise are generally good candidates for the ESG procedure. The ESG procedure is an excellent alternative for patients that are unable to have more complex surgeries due to existing health issues.

What Are the Expected Results?

The ESG procedure has produced incredible results for over 90% of its recipients. When the stomach volume is reduced and calorie intake is limited, patients find that it is much easier to change their eating habits permanently. The caloric intake becomes a necessity and no longer an issue of willpower where most patients eventually fail.

ESG patients can expect to lose up to 23% of their total body weight after one year. This amount of weight loss for obese patients can be life-changing. Many patients find that over a course of a year or more, other weight-related health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes begin to resolve themselves.

What Can Patients Expect During the Procedure?

The ESG is now considered to be an outpatient procedure. This means that patients can often have the ESG and be home recovering the same day. There is rarely any need for patients to stay overnight in the hospital.

Although the ESG procedure itself is non-invasive, patients will be given a general anesthetic for their own comfort as the endoscope is inserted into the mouth and stomach. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to complete with one to two hours in recovery.

Most patients experience soreness in the abdomen and some nausea during their recovery. After only a few days, patients feel like they are back to normal with the exception of feeling full after eating much fewer calories.

Due to the non-invasive nature of the ESG procedure, patients experience very few side effects or complications. For those that have struggled for many years with their weight and are now suffering from obesity, the ESG procedure can provide a healthy and hopeful solution. Talk to your doctor today to find out if an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is the right treatment for you.