Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty in Washington, DC
Are you struggling to lose weight despite dieting and exercise? Discover how endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), a revolutionary non-surgical weight loss procedure, is transforming lives in Washington DC, and beyond. This article explains what ESG is, how it works, who it’s for, and why leading gastroenterology and bariatric experts recommend it.
Article Outline
- What is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) and How Does it Help with Weight Loss?
- How is ESG Different from Bariatric Surgery?
- What Happens During the ESG Procedure?
- How Much Weight Can You Lose with ESG?
- Who is a Good Candidate for ESG Stomach Tightening®?
- What are the Risks and Benefits of Non-Surgical ESG?
- ESG vs Gastric Balloon: Which Non-Surgical Procedure is Better?
- Where Can You Get ESG in Washington DC?
- What Support is Needed After ESG for Long-Term Weight Loss?
- Is ESG Covered by Insurance or Is it Self-Pay?
- Dr. Charbel, top ESG doctor in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
- Dr. Charbel, an expert in non-surgical weight loss procedures.
- Non-invasive weight loss in the Washington, DC metropolitan area at Dr. Charbel’s weight loss clinic.
What is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) and How Does it Help with Weight Loss?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical weight loss procedure performed with an endoscope inserted through the mouth. Using a suturing device attached to the endoscope, the gastroenterologist reduces the stomach’s volume by about 70-80%, creating a sleeve-like shape similar to surgical sleeve gastrectomy but without incisions.
Unlike traditional bariatric surgery, ESG does not require cutting or stapling the stomach. The procedure restricts food intake and slows gastric emptying, helping you feel full faster and stay full longer. ESG is part of the growing field of bariatric endoscopy, advanced endoscopic weight loss procedures designed to bridge the gap between medical management and surgery.
ESG has been shown in multiple studies to support substantial weight loss while being safer and with faster recovery compared to surgical options. Many weight loss clinics now include ESG in their comprehensive weight loss programs to offer patients non-surgical alternatives.
How is ESG Different from Bariatric Surgery?
The main difference between ESG and bariatric surgery lies in how they are performed. Bariatric surgery, such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, involves abdominal incisions under general anesthesia to remove part of the stomach or reroute the digestive tract.
In contrast, ESG is done entirely through the mouth using an endoscope and suturing system. It is minimally invasive with no external scars, lower complication rates, and faster recovery time. While ESG results in slightly less weight loss than surgical sleeve gastrectomy, it is ideal for patients who are not candidates for surgery or prefer a non-surgical treatment.
Additionally, ESG is reversible or revisable, whereas sleeve gastrectomy permanently removes part of the stomach. Both procedures require lifestyle changes, but ESG’s non-invasive approach appeals to many seeking safe and effective weight loss solutions.
What Happens During the ESG Procedure?
During the ESG procedure, the gastroenterologist inserts an endoscope equipped with a suturing device into the stomach through the mouth. Multiple full-thickness sutures are placed to fold and reduce the stomach’s size, creating a tubular “sleeve.”
The procedure takes about 60 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia. Most patients go home the same day. Recovery time is minimal, with many returning to work within 2-3 days.
Because ESG is a non-surgical procedure, there are no abdominal incisions, scars, or significant pain. Patients follow a liquid diet for the first week, progressing to pureed and soft foods before resuming a regular healthy diet as advised by their weight loss doctors and nutrition team.
How Much Weight Can You Lose with ESG?
One of the most common questions is how much weight can you lose with ESG. Clinical studies show patients lose an average of 18-20% of their total body weight within 12-18 months. For example, someone weighing 250 pounds may lose around 50 pounds with ESG.
Weight loss results depend on adherence to lifestyle and dietary changes recommended by your care team. ESG is designed to assist in achieving a healthy weight by restricting stomach capacity, but success requires a commitment to nutrition, portion control, and behavioral modifications.
Compared to other non-surgical weight loss procedures like gastric balloons, ESG typically results in more sustained and greater weight loss.
Who is a Good Candidate for ESG?
ESG stomach tightening is ideal for patients with:
- BMI of 30-40 kg/m² (obesity class I-II)
- Prior failed attempts at weight loss with diet, exercise, and medications
- No history of major gastric surgery (e.g. gastric bypass)
- Motivation to adhere to lifestyle changes and medical follow-up
Patients with severe reflux, large hiatal hernias, or advanced liver disease may not be eligible. At clinics like The Silhouette Clinic and Digestive Care Specialists, comprehensive evaluation by gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and nutrition specialists ensures optimal patient selection.
What are the Risks and Benefits of Non-Surgical ESG?
As with any procedure, ESG has risks, but they are generally lower compared to bariatric surgery. Potential risks include bleeding, infection, or stomach injury, occurring in less than 2% of cases. Nausea and abdominal discomfort are common in the first few days. The risk of complications decreases with expertise and higher procedure volume. The risk of having a serious adverse event at The Silhouette Clinic is 0.2%.
Benefits of ESG include:
- Significant, sustained weight loss
- Minimally invasive, no incisions or scars
- Outpatient procedure with quick recovery
- Improvement in obesity-related conditions (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea)
ESG is a non-surgical weight loss option that bridges the gap between lifestyle interventions and surgery, providing an effective alternative for appropriate candidates.
ESG vs Gastric Balloon: Which Non-Surgical Procedure is Better?
Both ESG and gastric balloon are endoscopic, non-surgical weight loss procedures. Gastric balloons involve placing a saline-filled balloon in the stomach for six months to induce satiety.
However, ESG generally results in greater and longer-lasting weight loss compared to gastric balloons. While balloons are temporary and removed after six months, ESG is designed for durable anatomical changes. ESG also avoids the balloon-related risks of migration or deflation.
Choosing between ESG and a gastric balloon depends on BMI, goals, and preference. At The Silhouette Clinic and Digestive Care Specialists’ weight loss clinics, we offer comprehensive assessments that can guide patients toward the procedure best suited to their needs.
Where Can You Get ESG in Washington DC?
If you are looking for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) in the Washington DC metro area, you have excellent local options:
The Silhouette Clinic
Located in Germantown and Frederick, MD, The Silhouette Clinic specializes in endoscopic weight loss procedures, including ESG, gastric balloons, and medical weight management. Their comprehensive weight loss program combines ESG with nutrition counseling, behavioral therapy, and follow-up care to maximize long-term success. The clinic is known for its personalized approach, patient-centered care, and integration of the latest advancements in non-surgical weight loss. Patients from Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia choose The Silhouette Clinic for its expertise in ESG and its dedication to supporting patients throughout their weight loss journey.
Digestive Care Specialists
Also based in Germantown and Frederick, MD, Digestive Care Specialists offers ESG as part of their advanced gastroenterology and weight loss services. Their board-certified gastroenterologists perform ESG using the latest endoscopic techniques, providing patients with a minimally invasive option for significant and sustained weight loss. Digestive Care Specialists integrate ESG within their multidisciplinary programs, ensuring patients receive ongoing dietary, behavioral, and medical support to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
Located in Germantown, MD, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is one of the few centers in the region offering ESG with insurance coverage, making it accessible for many patients seeking a non-surgical alternative to bariatric surgery. Their team includes experienced gastroenterologists and bariatric endoscopy specialists who perform ESG safely and effectively within a hospital-based setting. The program also includes comprehensive follow-up and support to help patients achieve their weight loss goals.
Maryland Surgery Center
Located in Rockville, Maryland, just a few minutes from Washington, DC, Maryland Surgery Center offers Endura Weight Loss Solutions and the whole range of endoscopic weight loss procedures. The center uses state-of-the-art equipment and leverages a highly experienced team to provide the highest quality of care delivered efficiently in a concierge-like setting.
What Support is Needed After ESG for Long-Term Weight Loss?
Success with ESG relies on structured aftercare. Programs typically include:
- Nutrition counseling: Designing meal plans, portion control, and protein goals
- Behavioral therapy: Addressing emotional eating and habits
- Medical follow-up: Regular monitoring by weight loss doctors to adjust plans and track progress
- Exercise guidance: Establishing safe and effective fitness routines
This comprehensive weight loss approach maximizes ESG’s benefits, prevents weight regain, and supports your lifelong health journey.
Is ESG Covered by Insurance or Is it Self-Pay?
Currently, most commercial insurance companies consider ESG an elective weight loss procedure and do not cover it. However, select centers like Holy Cross Germantown Hospital offer ESG with insurance coverage in certain situations.
Medicare covers ESG for patients who meet the criteria for bariatric surgery.
Self-pay ESG costs range from $10,000 to $12,000 depending on the center, including pre-op evaluations, the procedure, anesthesia, and post-op follow-up. Financing plans are often available.
Despite the cost, many patients find ESG a worthwhile investment in their health, especially compared to long-term medical costs related to obesity.
Dr. Charbel, top ESG doctor in Washington DC metropolitan area.
Picking the doctor, you trust with your health, and you put in charge of tackling your weight loss process can be difficult and confusing. You would only want to trust your health to the best doctor. A doctor with the experience and expertise of Dr. Charbel can be of great help to you in your weight loss journey. Dr. Charbel is a well-respected doctor who has been serving patients in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia for many years. He has been consistently recognized by his peers as one of the Washingtonian magazine’s top doctors for years.
Dr. Charbel received his medical degree in 2002 from Saint Joseph’s University School of Medicine in Beirut, Lebanon. He completed his internal medicine residency in 2006. Dr. Charbel finished his gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition fellowship in 2009 at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC.
Additionally, Dr. Charbel gained expertise in advanced endoscopic procedures, such as endoluminal stenting, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic ultrasound. He published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented scientific posters at national gastroenterology meetings.
After his fellowship, Dr. Charbel joined the Peninsula Regional Medical Group on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where he established Peninsula Regional Gastroenterology Medicine.
He became the Director of Gastroenterology of the Peninsula Regional Medical Group and the Medical Director of the Peninsula Surgery Center. He joined the University of Maryland on the Eastern Shore as a Clinical Instructor of Gastroenterology for the Physician Assistant Program and welcomed trainees to rotate in his practice.
Dr. Charbel then moved to Montgomery County and established Digestive Care Specialists, providing comprehensive and high-quality gastrointestinal care to the community. He then established The Silhouette Clinic, which quickly became the top endoscopic bariatric practice in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Dr. Charbel’s reputation extended beyond Maryland, DC, and Virginia. He has many patients traveling from all over the US to seek care from him.
Dr. Charbel, an expert in non-surgical weight loss procedures.
Since he was in training at Georgetown University Hospital’s gastroenterology program, Dr. Charbel has been interested and focused on advanced endoscopic procedures. He trained in complex interventional endoscopic procedures and has been performing interventional endoscopic ultrasound as well as endoscopic suturing for years. He applied his advanced endoscopic skills to bariatric endoscopy to become an expert in endoscopic weight loss procedures. He mastered endoscopic suturing techniques and became one of the top doctors performing Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) in the country. Dr. Charbel also performs endoscopic revision of gastric bypass and endoscopic revision of gastric sleeve, to help patients struggling with weight regain after bariatric surgery. As an Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty expert, Dr. Charbel has been teaching physicians how to perform ESG at national conferences and has been proctoring physicians who come to observe his procedures.
Non-invasive weight loss in Washington DC metropolitan area at Dr. Charbel’s weight loss clinic.
At The Silhouette Clinic, Dr. Charbel offers a range of non-invasive weight loss procedures that can be ideal for many patients who are struggling with their weight but who do not qualify for surgery or who prefer a less invasive approach. These endoscopic weight loss procedures include:
Start your weight loss journey with the best weight loss specialists and the weight loss center with the highest success rate.
Dr. Charbel works closely with his patients to help them make the best decisions for optimal weight loss results. He understands that obesity is a chronic disease. He understands that weight loss is difficult due to metabolic and other reasons, and it is not about a lack of willpower or effort. He offers his patients a range of non-surgical weight loss options as well as medical weight loss. At Dr. Charbel’s weight loss clinic, patients get all the support they need from a whole team of professionals committed to achieving the best weight loss results. The results speak for themselves as can be seen on Dr. Charbel’s weight loss success stories page.
The Silhouette Clinic is one of the best weight loss centers serving patients from all over the US. Whether you are local from Maryland, Virginia, or the Washington DC area, or whether you come from out of state, Dr. Charbel and The Silhouette Clinic team are ready to help you with your weight loss journey to achieve the best weight loss results.
Start your Journey now with the top weight loss experts for lasting weight loss results.