Bariatric surgery is an effective option that can be used for weight loss as part of obesity treatment. Research has shown that it is improbable that an individual whose BMI or body mass index is in the obese range will be able to lose weight without some form of medical assistance.
The challenge with bariatric surgery is that it has risks and complications associated with it as well as requiring an extended recovery time.
Advancements in surgical procedures helped develop laparoscopic technology that made bariatric surgery a bit less invasive, which is how the gastric sleeve became the most popular surgical procedure performed in the United States today.
If you are considering gastric sleeve surgery in Miami, you will want to read today’s blog post! We are going to share facts about gastric sleeve surgery and then we are going to tell you about alternate procedures that do not require surgery and best of all, you can find them in Miami. Gastric sleeve surgery carries higher risks and a much longer recovery period when compared to either of these other procedures but the benefits of all three are comparable. Keep reading to learn more.
What Are The Basics Of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery has become the most commonly performed weight loss surgery in the U.S. with approximately 150,000 completed in the United States each year. This is a relatively low number considering that obesity rates have reached an all-time high, with 43 percent of American adults categorized as obese according to the standard BMI (body mass index) scale.
Another statistic that may shock you is that, of the individuals who qualify for a surgical procedure to help them lose weight, only one percent of them go through with the surgery. If you are wondering why that is, we can give you a few reasons.
- Qualifying for bariatric surgery can be challenging and require many steps. A patient’s BMI must be at least 35 with an existing weight-related condition;
- Gastric sleeve surgery involves 4 or 5 abdominal incisions. These incisions take an extended amount of time to heal and are painful. These incision sites may also become weak spots in your abdomen and result in the formation of hernias down the road;
- The gastric sleeve surgery leaves visible scarring in more than one location;
- During gastric sleeve surgery, the patient’s stomach is divided into two parts, and about 75 percent to 80 percent of the existing tissue is cut out and permanently removed. The remainder of the stomach is formed into a tube shape and surgically stapled together; (ouch!)
- It requires a hospital stay;
- The removal of stomach tissue during a gastric sleeve is permanent and there is a way to reverse the procedure;
- Gastric sleeve surgery requires a six- to eight-week recovery, and your activity is very restricted for about six weeks;
- Patients must follow a liquid-only diet for up to two weeks before gastric sleeve surgery and it takes several months before they can return to eating solid foods.
While gastric sleeve surgery does offer the benefit of weight loss, it is obvious that most people who are presented with the opportunity do not feel it is worth the risk or recovery.
What Alternative Is There To Gastric Sleeve In Miami?
In the summer of 2022, a fairly new procedure was approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity. This procedure has been in the works for years and the impressive result data provided by the clinical trials is what led to its approval.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a groundbreaking procedure that is completed totally from inside the patient’s body and is done without surgery. There are no incisions so there is no visible scarring. ESG is done as an outpatient procedure and does not require a hospital stay.
The most amazing feature of ESG is that it offers almost identical weight loss potential as gastric sleeve surgery but without all the downsides associated with surgery.
Another non-surgical alternative to gastric sleeve surgery that can be found in Miami is the Orbera weight loss balloon. A gastric balloon is used only temporarily and can help a patient lose a considerable amount of weight without surgery, scars, or a long recovery time.
How Do Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedures Compare to Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
See the chart below for a comparison of gastric sleeve surgery and the non-surgical alternatives.
to see the entire table
| # | Orbera Weight Loss Balloon | Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty ESG | Gastric Sleeve Surgery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview of Procedures | An empty medical balloon-like device is placed in the stomach using an endoscope. It is filled with saline until it is as big as a grapefruit. The balloon stays in the stomach for six months and then removed. | The stomach of the patient is reduced by 75% by reshaping it into a sleeve-like pouch and then suturing it in position. The entire non-surgical procedure is performed using an endoscope, which enables small surgical instruments to be lowered down the patient’s throat. | Approximately 5 small incisions are made in the patient’s abdomen and are used for the laparoscopic surgical tools to access the stomach. 75% of the stomach tissue is cut out and removed and the remaining 25% of the stomach is shaped into a smaller tube-shaped pouch and secured using surgical staples. |
| Risk Profile | 2.3% | 2.9% | 12% |
| Does this procedure require surgery? | No | No | Yes |
| BMI requirements to qualify for the procedure | 27 or higher | 30 or higher | 35 or more with one or more weight-related health issues or 40 or more or at least 100 pounds overweight.
Proof of previous weight loss efforts |
| Time required to perform the procedure | 20 minutes | Around an hour | 1 to 2 hours |
| Is any stomach tissue surgically removed? | No | No | Yes |
| Is a hospital stay required? | Outpatient procedure; no hospital stay is required. | Outpatient procedure; no hospital stay is required. | One to three days |
| Can this procedure be reversed? | Yes, a gastric balloon is only a temporary device. | Yes, ESG can be reversed. | No |
| What is the average weight loss potential and timeframe? | 30-40% excess weight in 6 months | 60% to 65% of excess weight in one year | 55-65% in one year |
| What is the average recovery time? | Three to four days | Three days to one week | 2 -3 weeks for incisions to heal, 6-8 weeks for the staple line to heal. |
| Are There Activity Restrictions After Procedure | There are very few activity restrictions while the balloon is installed, once it has been removed, patients can participate in any activity | There are no physical restrictions, and patients can participate in whatever activities they feel comfortable doing. | Patients must wait at least a month before beginning light exercise and at least six weeks before moderate exercise. |
| Progression to Solid Foods
After all these procedures, the stomach needs time to reacclimate to eating solid foods |
About 4 weeks | About 4 weeks | About 2 months |
If you are searching for a doctor who can perform a gastric sleeve in Miami, you should consider one of the non-surgical options outlined in the above table. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty provides the same type of weight loss results but is much less invasive, does not require a hospital stay, and you will be back to your own routine within a week. You will have minimal activity restrictions and are free to do whatever you feel you are able to do.
Contact Dr. Okeefe Simmons For Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) In Miami
We invite you to set up a consultation with Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions today to get all your questions about non-surgical weight loss answered. When you compare gastric sleeve surgery with all the benefits ESG has to offer, we are sure you will want to find out if you are a candidate for the procedure.
There is no need to look for someone to perform a gastric sleeve in Miami when you have access to excellent weight loss results through ESG without surgery. The amazing team at Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions will be there to support and guide you through your entire weight loss journey and celebrate your success when you reach your goals. Reach out to us today and schedule an appointment to learn more about losing weight without surgery.
