Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
What is an Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
An Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) reduces the size of your stomach without the use of surgery or incisions. The doctor uses an endoscope – a small flexible tube with a camera and suturing device attached – to pass down the mouth into the stomach.
The small camera allows the doctor to see and operate inside the stomach without making external incisions in the abdomen. The doctor will place multiple sutures in the stomach to change the structure. This results in the shape resembling a sleeve or a banana. The change in structure and shape restricts the amount of food that can be eaten. This causes a person to feel fuller faster and learn portion control.
Benefits
In addition to weight loss, this procedure can also provide other benefits to a person's health such as improving or reducing the risk of:
- Sleep Apnea
- Type II Diabetes
- High Blood Sugar
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
To Qualify for this Procedure
To qualify for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) you will need to meet the following qualifications:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher
- You have previously tried and had no success with medical weight loss through diet and exercise.
- Must participate in a medically supervised weight loss program
- Must follow on a liquid diet for several weeks after the procedure
- Attend regularly scheduled follow-up appointments
The following conditions may prevent you from qualifying for this procedure:
- If you have previous gastrointestinal surgery
- History of disordered eating condition
- Family history of stomach or esophageal cancer
- Active smoking, alcohol or substance abuse
- If you are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant within one year.
- If you have a hernia in the esophagus or a structural abnormality in the larynx or throat
- Have had bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract previously
If you do not qualify for ESG, you may still be a candidate for weight loss surgery.
Insurance
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty may not be covered by health insurance. It's encouraged patients to call their health insurer to confirm coverage.
