Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTROPLASTY (ESG) PROCEDURE?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a non-surgical weight loss procedure. The patient’s stomach is reduced to approximately 20-25% of its original size. The smaller stomach size helps the patients to feel “full” longer.
IS ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTROPLASTY (ESG) CONSIDERED SURGERY?
No, ESG is not considered a surgical procedure because there are no incisions made during the procedure. ESG is considered a minimally invasive procedure performed to help facilitate weight loss.
HOW DOES ESG HELP PATIENTS LOSE WEIGHT?
The non-surgical ESG procedure reshapes the patient’s stomach making it 75-80% smaller than its original size. The patient cannot eat as much in one sitting and the stomach’s new shape slows down the rate of digestion so they feel full and satisfied longer.
The nonsurgical nature of the procedure makes recovery much faster and patients can resume their normal routine including exercise and physical activity with minimal recovery time.
DURING THE ESG, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PORTION OF MY STOMACH THAT IS SUTURED?
During the ESG no part of the stomach is cut or removed, and the blood flow is not altered. The stomach is reshaped and special sutures are used to hold this shape, making the stomach smaller. There are no known long-term risks associated with the technique.
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WILL I GET AFTER my ESG?
After the ESG you will have access to various sources of support, including our clinical team, a personalized lifestyle expert for 12 months (included in the cost), and resources to a community of patients who had the same procedure.
IS THE ESG PROCEDURE REVERSIBLE?
It is possible to reverse the ESG procedure however, the sutures used during an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty do not dissolve and are meant to be permanent.
CAN SUTURES COME LOOSE AFTER ESG?
Yes, the sutures may become loose. This can happen as a result of eating too much and causing strain on the sutures. If necessary, new sutures can be added to address the issue.
