What is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is one of the newer weight loss procedures available to help patients with obesity. It works by reducing the size of your stomach using an endoscopic device which can suture, removing the need for surgery. The surgery is usually available to people considered significantly overweight, with a BMI of 30+, where diet and exercise have not worked.
Dr Rehan Haidry is a highly experienced endoscopist able to safely perform this procedure. It is a lower risk option for people looking at surgical weight loss surgeries as it is minimally invasive. The aftercare process is more straightforward to but after an ESG, patients still need to be committed to permanent healthy lifestyle changes and endeavour to maintain a healthy diet and exercise.
Why Consider an ESG?
Patients may be considering an ESG to help lose weight and minimise the risk of health problems which become more likely and dangerous when your weight is increased. Being overweight or obese heightens your risk of:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnoea
- High bloody pressure
- Heart disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
ESG and other weight loss surgeries are usually offered or considered once you have exhausted other methods to lose weight.
ESG Procedure
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is carried out under general anaesthetic.
The procedure is carried out using an endoscope fitted with an endoscopic suturing device. The endoscope is inserted through the throat and down into the stomach. The camera attached to the endoscope allows the doctor to operate inside the stomach without the need to cut into the abdomen. Through the endoscope the doctor can place sutures into the stomach, changing its shape into more like a tube, which limits the number of calories your body can consume.
The procedure usually takes around 90 minutes and most patients can go home the same day.