Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a procedure that reduces stomach size, making it easier to limit your portions and lose weight. At the Transform Bariatrics offices in Rockville, and Greenbelt, Maryland, premier bariatric surgeon Hitesh P. Amin, MD, offers ESG to patients who feel frustrated with their weight and are ready to make a big positive change. Book your consultation using online scheduling or call the office nearest you to learn more now.

What is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)?

ESG is a procedure that essentially divides your stomach without removing any tissue. Internal sutures close off about 70% of your stomach, leaving both its size and your appetite dramatically smaller. 

An ESG can help you limit your portion sizes so you can lose significant weight without being constantly hungry. 

Like all weight loss procedures, ESG requires a lifestyle commitment. The procedure gives you a significant jump-start, but you still need to follow through by eating small portions of healthy foods.

How does the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure work?

You’ll receive general anesthesia for an ESG, so you’ll sleep throughout. In an EGS, Dr. Amin inserts an endoscope — a long flexible tube — into your mouth and guides it down to your stomach. The endoscope has a tiny built-in camera allowing Dr. Amin to see your stomach from the inside. 

He marks the walls of the stomach to guide the placement of sutures. Dr. Amin then attaches a suturing kit to the end of the endoscope. 

He applies sutures in the front and back walls of your stomach. Finally, he draws the sutures together to effectively reduce volume while also shortening your stomach. 

The ESG procedure takes around 60-90 minutes, and you can return home that same day.

What happens following an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty?

After your ESG, you’ll follow a liquid diet and transition gradually to semisolids and regular food after a couple of weeks. By following your diet and lifestyle plans closely, you can lose 12-20% of your excess weight in the next year. 

How does ESG compare to robotic sleeve gastrectomy?

ESG is, in many ways, similar to robotic sleeve gastrectomy. Both procedures effectively reduce your stomach size, but with robotic sleeve gastrectomy, Dr. Amin surgically removes most of your stomach through tiny abdominal incisions. 

While you can expect significant weight loss with both procedures, you may lose more weight on average with robotic sleeve surgery. However, ESG is a faster procedure and doesn’t involve actual surgery.

You can qualify for ESG with a body mass index of more than 30, while you must generally have a BMI of over 40 (over 35, with comorbid conditions) for weight loss surgery like a robotic sleeve. So it can be a great option for people who need to lose weight but aren’t good candidates for surgery.

Ready to learn more about ESG? Call Transform Bariatrics or book your appointment online now.