Obesity is a serious health concern, especially in our nation. Data suggests that four out of ten adults in the USA have obesity. Living with morbid obesity is not easy. It not only creates cosmetic concerns but also can lead to serious health problems. There are numerous ways to lose weight including exercise, diet, medicine, and non-surgical and surgical procedures. Although diet, exercise, and medicine are the safest methods, sometimes they do not show effective results. Surgery is an effective weight loss method but comes with risks of complications. Patients who prefer non-surgical interventions are often recommended for non-surgical weight procedures such as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. The procedure is both safe and effective. If you are looking for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty in Dallas or Fort Worth, consult an experienced bariatric surgeon in your area. But before that, continue reading this blog as we present all the information you need to know about endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
What is an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and how does it work?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a non-surgical weight loss procedure in which the size of the stomach is reduced to decrease food intake and help in weight loss. Unlike surgical procedures like sleeve gastrectomy surgery, no part of the stomach is removed. Doctors use an endoscope (a flexible tube attaching a camera at the end) to access the internal part of the stomach through the mouth and make sutures to create a small sleeve out of the stomach. When the stomach’s volume is reduced, the appetite of the patients also reduces, making them full quicker. With a balanced nutritious diet in small portions and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, patients can lose a substantial amount of weight after the ESG procedure.
What are the benefits of ESG?
ESG is a popular weight loss procedure because:
- It is a minimal-invasive non-surgical procedure that involves no surgery and leaves no scar behind.
- It not only helps in weight reduction but also reduces the risk of weight loss-related problems such as heart stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
- It facilitates quicker recovery with less pain and downtime than conventional weight loss procedures.
ESG is a low-risk procedure with less than a 1 percent chance of post-op complications. Not only are patients discharged on the same day but they are allowed to return to work after one or two days of rest. The procedure is highly suitable for those people who do not wish to get under the knife for weight loss.
Who are eligible candidates for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty?
ESG is a non-surgical weight loss procedure but is not recommended for every patient with morbid obesity. Patients must meet the following criteria to qualify for the procedure:
- Should have a Body Mass Index of 30 or above.
- Have never undergone any type of weight loss surgery before.
- Are not qualified for any type of bariatric surgery.
- Have tried diet, exercise, and weight loss medicines but have not seen any significant results.
The above-mentioned are the general criteria to qualify for the procedure. The actual eligibility can only be determined by your bariatric surgeon. They may run some tests and ask for patients’ medical history before suggesting a suitable course of treatment. Consult an ESG expert in Dallas-Fort Worth to determine your eligibility.
What to expect during recovery?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure usually is completed within 60-90 minutes and patients are discharged from the hospital the same day. There may be some exceptional cases in which patients may require to stay for a day or so in the hospital for observation. Discharge from the hospital will mainly depend on the patient’s health and their ability to regain consciousness from anesthesia. Some of the common side effects patients may experience include nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. These tend to go away with time and proper medication.
After ESG, patients are not allowed to eat or drink anything for a few hours. Then, at least for 2 weeks patients need to be on a liquid diet. After that, they can move on to semisolid foods and finally to their regular diet after consulting their doctor.
ESG can help patients lose about 12 to 20 percent of body weight in just one year with a balanced intake of nutrition, regular exercise, and medication. It is crucial for patients undergoing ESG procedures to adopt a healthy lifestyle to optimize and maintain weight loss success. Apart from weight loss, the procedure can improve numerous conditions related to obesity such as sleep apnea, diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure. Consult a leading bariatric surgeon in Dallas and Fort Worth to ensure the optimum results from the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure.
Conclusion
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is a minimally invasive non surgical procedure that can show effective weight loss results provided patients commit to a healthy lifestyle. People with morbid obesity who are ready to commit long-term changes to their lifestyle are potential candidates for the procedure. Residents of Dallas and Fort Worth can consult an experienced and reputable bariatric surgeon in their area to get proper treatment and advice related to endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and whether it is the right choice for them. It’s better to take action early rather than bear the impact of morbid obesity in the long run.
