The Ultimate Guide to Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)

ESG is a new weight-loss procedure that reduces stomach volume without surgery. It also helps improve obesity-related health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.

ESG candidacy is based on several factors, including your current BMI, history of previous weight loss attempts, and readiness to adopt healthier lifestyle habits post-procedure. It’s important to note that this is not a cure for obesity and requires a long-term commitment to healthy eating and physical activity.

What is ESG?

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical operation that shrinks the size of your stomach. It’s an alternative to bariatric surgery to help promote weight loss and improve overall health.

During this operation, your doctor inserts an endoscope (a long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached) into your stomach without making any incisions. They then use a suturing device to stitch your stomach into a smaller, accordion-style sleeve.

This procedure takes 60-90 minutes, and you can return home that same day. Initially, you’ll follow a liquid diet and gradually transition to semi-solid foods. You can then begin eating regular but calorie-conservative foods after about a month.

Eligibility for the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty near me procedure is determined by several factors. It would help if you also were prepared to commit to a lifelong commitment to healthy living after the surgery to maximize results and minimize risks. This includes regularly attending monthly or annual doctor’s appointments for the first year, followed by yearly appointments afterward.

Eligibility for ESG

ESG is an effective weight loss solution for individuals who cannot achieve and maintain long-term weight loss with diet and exercise alone. It’s important to note that the procedure does not cure obesity; instead, it helps patients manage their weight with significant lifestyle changes.

Candidates for ESG should have a BMI of 30 or higher and be committed to making healthy lifestyle changes following their surgery. Those with diabetes or high blood pressure who have health issues linked to their weight may be eligible for the surgery even if their BMI is less than 30.

The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure is an outpatient treatment that lasts about one to two hours. During the surgery, the endoscope inserts a suturing device that changes the stomach’s structure by folding and tightening sections of stomach tissue together. The result is a tube-shaped stomach that limits food intake and makes people feel full faster.

After the procedure, you will start on a liquid diet, then progress to soft foods and eventually solids. You’ll also receive support from a behavior coach, dietitian, and other care team members.

Procedure

ESG is a minimally invasive procedure using a thin scope with a suturing device. Unlike gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, in this outpatient endoscopic procedure, a suturing device is used to double-stitch the broader parts of your stomach to create a tube-like “sleeve.” The reduced size limits how much you can eat, resulting in dramatic weight loss.

The sleeve procedure is also nonpermanent, meaning your stomach will return to its standard shape with time. This makes it a good option for people who want to lose weight but do not qualify for bariatric surgery.

The most important considerations for candidates are a commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes and the ability to maintain those changes over the long term. Because ESG is not a cure for obesity, it is not an appropriate procedure for anyone who does not fully commit to making healthy choices. Patients must be ready for a journey that will change their lives and willing to work closely with the behavioral health team, dietitian, and physician.

Recovery

ESG is minimally invasive, with no incisions and a shorter hospital stay than traditional laparoscopic bariatric surgery. It’s also reversible and nonpermanent.

During this procedure, an endoscope (a tube fitted with a camera) is inserted through the mouth to enter the stomach. An endoscopy device then sews three rows of sutures that recreate the anatomy of a surgically created sleeve, making the stomach smaller and altering satiety-inducing hormones.

The sleeve-like shape restricts the amount of food you can eat and slows down how fast the stomach empties. This aids weight loss and can improve or remove the need for medications to manage obesity-related health conditions.

It’s important to note that, even after undergoing bariatric surgery, you must make significant changes to your diet and lifestyle to maintain your results. It’s also common to experience disordered eating behaviors after weight loss surgery that can mimic those of an eating disorder. If you are concerned, seek help from a professional counselor or support group.

Results

As the name suggests, ESG reduces the size of your stomach, making you feel fuller and more satisfied. It also changes your hunger hormones, another weight loss factor.

The ESG procedure is minimally invasive, requiring no incisions and a flexible tube inserted into your mouth to reach your stomach. It is an outpatient procedure that takes less than two hours to perform.

The ESG operation causes many patients to lose a large amount of weight. They can also help people reduce weight or improve their health concerns caused by obesity. It is important to remember that weight loss surgery is not a fast fix, and patients should prepare to live with their results for the rest of their lives by eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly. They may need to see their bariatric team for regular medical checkups to ensure they follow a safe and effective treatment plan.