Millions of people all over the world struggle daily with weight loss efforts. The obesity epidemic has been universally getting worse. In the US, the prevalence of obesity increased from 30% in the year 2000 to 42% in 2018. As such, it is no surprise that weight loss surgeries have become quite popular in the past few decades. However, many individuals do not wish to undergo surgery to assist with their weight loss efforts. Luckily, surgery is no longer the only option for individuals whose diet and exercise alone are not effective. Newer, safer, and non-invasive weight loss procedures provide an ideal alternative for many patients. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is one of the most popular and most effective nonsurgical endoscopic weight loss procedures.
WHAT IS ESG?
While procedures such as the gastric sleeve procedure and other bariatric surgeries include surgery and incisions; Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive, outpatient, non-surgical, incision-less weight loss procedure.
The endoscopist sutures the stomach from the inside to reduce its size, which results in long-lasting weight loss.
The procedure is very well tolerated; the patients are not admitted to the hospital, and they return to their normal routine after a few days.
WHO IS ESG FOR?
ESG is an ideal weight loss solution for patients who:
- were unable to achieve the desired weight loss with diet and lifestyle changes
- do not want to undergo surgery
- do not meet the criteria for traditional bariatric surgery
While there is no strict BMI requirement for the procedure, the perfect candidate for ESG is a patient with a BMI between 30 and 40 who is committed to the weight loss program and willing to adapt to a healthier lifestyle.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT WOULD YOU LOSE WITH ESG?
Most people lose around 18 to 20 percent of their total body weight 1 year after the procedure. Most of the weight loss occurs early on and it is maintained. People usually maintain a 15% total body weight loss, five years after the procedure; the key is to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the long run.
WHY IS ESG AN IDEAL ENDOSCOPIC, NON-SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS PROCEDURE?
These are the main factors that make ESG worth considering:
- Effective weight loss within the first year (up to 20% of total body weight)
- Quick: takes around 45 minutes. It is an outpatient procedure; you go home the same day.
- No scars: performed endoscopically through the mouth, so no incision or scars.
- Non-surgical/safe: no cutting or removing any part of the stomach.
- No disruption: 2 to 3 days of home recovery then you resume your normal routine.
WHAT ARE ESG’S HEALTH BENEFITS, OTHER THAN WEIGHT LOSS? ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
ESG achieves significant weight loss resulting in improvement in:
- blood sugar
- blood pressure
- obstructive sleep apnea
- mood
ESG is generally very well tolerated. Patients may experience nausea and abdominal pain or discomfort. These symptoms are usually mild and short-lived. They typically resolve in a couple of days. Your doctor will prescribe you some medications to alleviate such symptoms.
HOW IS ESG PERFORMED
The ESG procedure is done endoscopically, so no incisions are needed. The endoscopist advances an endoscope (a tube with a camera and a light on its tip) through the mouth to the stomach. The scope is equipped with a suturing device that allows us to suture the stomach from the inside and decrease its size.
The sutures hold the stomach in a sleeve shape. When the stomach heals, it will remain in its new shape and size, and the sutures are no longer needed. However, we do not remove them as they are very small, and you don’t feel them.
Through this procedure, we can significantly decrease the size of the stomach. The stomach can accommodate smaller meals; but the rate at which the food empties from the stomach is also decreased, so a smaller meal lasts for a much longer time. This allows the patient to follow a low-calorie diet without feeling hungry all the time.
In terms of duration, the procedure takes around 45 minutes, followed by a couple of hours in the recovery area for monitoring, and then the patients are on their way home.
HOW IS ESG DIFFERENT THAN LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
The main differences are as follows:
- ESG is NOT surgery
- Performed endoscopically through the mouth
- No cutting or removing any part of the stomach safer than surgery
- No incisions and no scars
- Outpatient procedure a couple of hours and you go home
In summary, Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is a quick, safe, and effective weight loss procedure that doesn’t leave any scars. The Endoscopic Gastric Sleeve is a non-invasive option for patients who do not qualify for bariatric surgery or who do not wish to undergo surgery. It results in significant long-term weight loss thus providing many health benefits. ESG is a great tool that helps many patients achieve their health and weight loss goals.
With the constant progress in the medical field, new procedures offer a safer, less invasive way to achieve results. Silhouette offers Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, a minimally invasive, outpatient, non-surgical, incision-less weight loss procedure. To learn more about the procedure, contact us for a consultation