Many people struggle with their weight and are unsuccessful with any attempts at weight loss. A 9-year study that included 174,495 participants analyzed patients with obesity to determine the probability of their success at losing weight without some type of medical intervention. For both men and women in the study with a BMI in the obese category, the probability of successful weight loss was less than 1%.
Looking at these statistics, you know that you are not alone if you have tried to count calories and increase your physical activity in an attempt to lose weight but have not experienced any progress. It is time to stop struggling on your own and get a little help.
Historically, a surgical procedure was the only effective means to lose weight for obese individuals. Today, thanks to the amazing advancements in medical techniques, there is a non-surgical procedure called ESG that can help you lose weight and keep it off.
You may have heard about this procedure before or you may not be familiar at all with this recently FDA-approved weight loss solution. This article will provide an overview of the procedure and where you can get ESG or Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty in Miami.
What Is ESG?
ESG is a procedure that does not require surgery and can help patients lose the same amount of weight (or more) as the popular bariatric gastric sleeve surgery. ESG has been used for several years but has recently been approved by the FDA due to the consistently favorable weight loss results experienced by patients during multiple studies and clinical trials.
How Is The ESG Procedure Done?
ESG is performed using a special tool called an endoscope while the patient is under general anesthesia. The endoscope is a flexible hollow tube that has a tiny camera and a light mounted on the end.
The endoscope is carefully lowered down the patient’s throat and into the stomach using the camera as a guide. The surgeon then reduces the patient’s stomach by about 75% by folding and reshaping it into a smaller tube-like pouch and securing it with sutures. The entire ESG procedure is done internally so there are no incisions or hospital stays and patients can return home the same day.
How Does ESG Work For Weight Loss?
Because ESG reduces the size of the patient’s stomach, this limits the amount they can eat during each meal. Also, the smaller stomach takes longer to digest the food that is eaten so the patient feels full longer. ESG is meant to be used as a tool to help individuals with portion control and curbing hunger pangs while the patient actively makes healthy dietary choices and participates in daily exercise.
How Much Weight Can You Lose With The ESG Procedure?
The answer to this question is a bit tricky because active participation is required by the patient for significant weight loss to occur. Statistically, patients have lost between 20% and 100% of their excess body weight after undergoing ESG.
The smaller stomach forces a degree of portion control so patients would most likely lose some weight if they did nothing else but have the ESG procedure. Patients who modify their behavior and begin exercising every day, avoiding unhealthy foods, and choosing to eat a healthy low-calorie diet consisting of nutrient-rich foods, will lose significantly more weight. ESG helps patient efforts go further but without these efforts, their weight loss results may not be as dramatic.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From The ESG Procedure?
ESG is a safer alternative to bariatric surgery for patients who do not wish to undergo surgery or do not qualify for bariatric surgery. Since ESG is non-surgical, the recovery time is significantly shorter than that of any bariatric surgical procedure. Most patients recover in just a few days and do not have any activity restrictions.
Where Can I Get ESG In Miami?
If you are local or are interested in traveling to be seen by the leading weight loss doctor in Miami, contact Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions and set up a consultation.
Dr. Okeefe Simmons, MD is currently the only doctor in the United States that is triple fellowship-trained in gastroenterology, bariatric endoscopy, and obesity medicine. Dr. Simmons and his knowledgeable team of professionals are ready to answer your questions and provide you with more information on the ESG procedure. Contact us today to learn more!
