Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Dallas, Fort Worth, Mansfield & Plano
Candidates for Endoscopic Bariatric Procedure
Generally, Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is indicated in individuals with a BMI between 30-40, who are not eligible for other bariatric surgeries, or for whom diet and exercise didn’t work. Most people who underwent ESG reported losing 15-20 percent of their original total body weight within the first year of the procedure. In addition to helping patients shed those extra pounds, the procedure also reduces the risk of various comorbidities such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, Type-2 diabetes, and heart problems.
Procedure Details
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. An endoscopic camera is inserted into the patient’s mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. The camera gives the surgeon a clear view of the area. The surgeon will then make 10-12 sutures in the stomach. The stomach is then pleated together and shortened without any abdominal incisions. This not only restricts food intake and makes the stomach feel full faster, but may reduce levels of “grehlin,” the hunger hormone. The entire procedure takes around one hour, and patients are usually discharged from the facility on the same day.
Key Advantages of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
- Non-surgical
- No implant to remove at a designated time
- Little to no pain
- Performed as an outpatient
- Significantly reduced stomach size makes patients feel full sooner
- Low risk
- Same-day discharge
- Return to work in 24-48 hours
Risks & Complications
The risks of complications in ESG are relatively low, less than 1%. Side effects may include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms last no more than 2-3 days after which they resolve on their own. Side effects are manageable with medications. Rarely, injury to surrounding structures such as the pancreas, spleen, or colon could occur, but these are exceedingly uncommon.
Post-Operative Care
You’ll have regular checkups with your surgeon, dietitian and the team at DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery. Following the procedure, patients are not allowed to eat or drink anything for a few hours. After that, they are put on a liquid diet for two weeks. The next four weeks involve semi-solid foods, and then patients are moved to regular diets.
What to Expect Post Procedure
Most patients who underwent ESG or accordion procedure report significant weight loss. In a recent study, it was found that individuals with a BMI of around 38 who underwent sleeve gastroplasty experienced an average weight loss of 39 pounds after 6 months, and 42 pounds after 12 months. Most patients lose 15-20 percent of their total body weight with time. The surgeons at DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery encourage patients to regularly follow-up with their physicians.
Out of Town Patients
We do have patients come from all over in search of this procedure. As such, we can do our initial visit with Dr. Sachin Kukreja, Dr. Elizabeth Hooper or Dr. Barr through a telemedicine platform to ensure all of your questions are answered and that this procedure is right for you. We recommend that patients stay local for 5 days after their procedure so we can monitor their progress. We have relationships with local hotels to ensure the best pricing and concierge services.
