During an Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), there are no cuts. Instead, a device is inserted through the throat down to the stomach. The stomach is then folded and made smaller from the inside, making it 70% smaller and shaped like a tube. This limits the amount of food that can be eaten.
What are the advantages of an ESG procedure?
- No outside incisions
- No acid reflux
- Short recovery time – can return to work in 3-5 days
- Can start drinking liquids right away
- Excellent treatment for patients who need to lose weight in order to get a transplant or who otherwise don’t qualify for a traditional bariatric surgery
- Most patients typically lose 13% total body weight the first year and up to 20% by the second year
What are the risks of an ESG procedure?
- Non-reversible though it can be converted to another bariatric surgery
- Pain and nausea for several days following the procedure. A dietary change is made for the first few weeks as well.
All patients will still need to follow a dietary and life style modifications to achieve intended results of the procedure.
