According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity affects around 41.9% of adults in the US between 2017-2020. As a result of the prevalence of obesity in the country, many patients are turning to bariatric procedures to aid them in losing weight, with endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty being one of the most popular options.
If you want to lose weight, you may want to consider endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. This procedure can help you achieve your weight loss goals while providing a safe and reliable solution to your issues.
Continue reading to find out more about this bariatric procedure and whether you may be a suitable candidate for one.
What is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses endoscopic suturing (stitching) to reduce the stomach’s size and decrease a patient’s calorie intake.
This method makes them feel full faster than usual, resulting in a gradual weight loss of around 15% to 20% of total body weight in a year combined with a healthy lifestyle change.
While this less invasive option aims to reduce the stomach size like other bariatric surgery procedures, such as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, ESG does not require incisions or cutting into the stomach.
In contrast, the latter removes part of the stomach and is irreversible, thus allowing most ESG patients to convert it to other bariatric procedures if recommended by their physician.
How is ESG performed?
During an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedure, a physician will insert an endoscope equipped with a suturing device into the patient’s mouth while under general anesthesia.
Upon reaching the stomach, the physician will create multiple sutures inside the gastric wall to reduce its size, thus limiting the patient’s food intake.
This procedure typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes to complete, and although these sutures do not dissolve, the stomach wall will heal around them safely while forming its new shape. If necessary, the sutures can be removed later to reverse the procedure.
After the ESG, patients are usually allowed to leave shortly after the observation period, provided no complications have been observed. In some cases, patients may even be able to leave on the same day, depending on how their body responds to the procedure.
Additionally, patients must abstain from eating and drinking for the first few hours following the ESG and should be advised to follow a liquid diet for at least two weeks.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Candidates
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is an excellent option for individuals struggling to lose weight and who may have been rejected for other weight-loss surgeries, such as gastric bypass.
It is especially beneficial for those at risk for complications from a more invasive procedure, like those with diabetes, heart disease, or who have had previous abdominal surgery.
Candidates that are suitable for ESG should meet the following criteria:
- body mass index or BMI of greater than 30
- patients at risk of weight-related health concerns
- not qualified or unsuitable for other bariatric surgery
- little to no results of weight loss even after making lifestyle changes
Although endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is much less invasive than other types of bariatric surgery, it is still a major decision and should not be taken lightly.
If you’re considering ESG, discussing your options with your doctor and receiving a full evaluation to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure is important.
It is also essential to consider potential risks and side effects, as well as the long-term implications of the procedure.
Possible Side Effects of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Although ESG is a safe procedure, as with any surgery, it is important to be aware of its possible side effects.
After undergoing the procedure, patients tend to report the following symptoms which include:
- nausea
- stomach spasm
- bloatedness
- dehydration
As your stomach adjusts, these symptoms typically disappear within 24-72 hours after the procedure. Resting and rehydrating by drinking clear fluids is important to ensure a speedy recovery.
If symptoms persist or become severe, contact your doctor immediately.
Benefits of ESG
Primarily helping overweight and obese patients with their weight loss journey, ESG offers many other advantages that make it a popular alternative option.
Shorter hospital stay
Due to its minimally invasive nature, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is ideal for those seeking to reduce their risk of operative complications and hospital stay. The procedure is relatively fast to complete, and many patients can recover at home rather than stay overnight.
Moreover, ESG patients can experience fast recovery times, allowing them to resume their usual activities within a few days following the procedure.
This marked improvement compared to the weeks or months of recovery time often needed for other treatments.
Unaltered digestion process
Although ESG is a viable and effective option for those looking to lose weight, many people are left wondering how this procedure affects digestion and whether or not it alters the body’s process of breaking down and absorbing nutrients.
Fortunately, the answer is no. Rather, it works by simply suturing the gastric wall to reduce the stomach size, allowing patients to eat less.
Even though there may be some temporary side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, these typically disappear after a few days and do not interfere with the body’s digestion.
Alleviates obesity-related health problems
ESG is a safe and effective alternative to traditional weight loss surgery and can be used to help people with obesity-related health problems such as:
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- fatty liver
- sleep apnea
- joint pain
Additionally, people who undergo ESG and make lifestyle changes to their routine have significantly better overall health outcomes than those who have not had the procedure.
Dietary Guideline for ESG Patients
Patients must undergo dietary restrictions for the first few weeks after the procedure. Following these restrictions are essential to ensure better results post-treatment and receive its full benefits.
Clear Liquid (Days 0-2)
Patients can only consume clear liquids for the first eight hours following the procedure. Any bits or pieces are not allowed as not to upset the newly-sutured stomach.
Full Liquid (Days 3-14)
Patients can now drink soups and beverages rich in protein from day three until the second week of post-ESG.
This stage has to be smooth liquids, though; that’s why strain your broths before eating and avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.
Puree (Weeks 3-4)
After the second week, patients can now transition to pureed or mashed food. Some healthy options that you can put in the blender are:
- fish
- ground beef or chicken
- low-fat yogurt
- tofu
- egg
- fruits
- vegetables
Try to finish your meal within 30 minutes and refrain from drinking while eating simultaneously.
Soft Food (Weeks 5-6)
On weeks 5 to 6, ESG patients can start eating easily chewed and soft foods. Make sure to boil your food just enough to tenderize it, making it easier to pass through your stomach.
Solid Food (Week 7 onwards)
After grueling weeks of consuming only liquids and soft foods, you can gradually reintroduce regular solid food starting in week 7.
However, following the recommended nutritional portions as your doctor or dietitian prescribes is crucial to ensure you reach and maintain your weight goal.
Conclusion
With ESG’s low complication rate, quick recovery time, and minimal scarring, this non-surgical procedure is an attractive and effective option for those looking to improve their health through weight loss.
By combining diet and exercise with this life-changing bariatric procedure, patients can achieve their weight loss goals and enjoy improved overall health, vitality, and quality of life.