Are you also someone who suffers from being overweight, or as doctors call it, obese? Are you tired of dieting and exercising? If you are afraid of undergoing major weight loss surgery, today we are going to talk about a solution that is right for you, but at the same time, not many people know about it. This may be something that can change your life.
Simply put, what is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)?
The name may sound complicated, but what happens in this procedure is very simple. ESG is a modern treatment that reduces the size of your stomach (stomach) without cutting anywhere on your body. This is a good alternative to weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery).
Imagine... the doctor inserts a thin tube down your throat. This tube has a very small camera attached to the end. We call this an endoscope. Using this camera, they use a special device to stitch the walls of your stomach together. Some people call this the "accordion procedure" because the stomach folds up like an accordion.
After this, your stomach shrinks to about a third (30%) of its previous size. Then two things happen:
1. The amount of food you can eat at one time is limited.
2. When the stomach is full, it takes longer to empty.
This makes you feel full even after eating a little, and you don't feel hungry for long.
Who is this treatment best suited for?
This treatment is usually recommended for people who are obese. If your body mass index (BMI) is over 30 , and you have tried other methods of losing weight without success, you may want to consider this.
This is a great solution, especially for those who are not eligible for major weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery), or who do not want to take the risks of surgery. It is not as major as surgery, but it provides more successful results than diet and exercise.
Obesity is not just about gaining weight. It also increases the risk of developing many serious diseases, such as diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes), high blood pressure, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. Losing weight with a treatment like ESG can help control these diseases, and sometimes even cure them completely.
What happens before and during treatment?
You and your doctor will decide together whether you are suitable for this.
Before the Procedure
First, a complete medical examination will be performed. Several blood tests will be done to see if you are fit for general anesthesia. The doctor will talk to you about your health history, eating habits, lifestyle, and weight loss goals. He will also explain the pros and cons of this treatment, as well as the lifestyle changes you need to make to achieve long-term results.
During the Procedure
You won't feel anything, because this is done while you are completely asleep (anesthetized).
- This is done by a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in the digestive system.
- He will insert the endoscope through your mouth and pass it down to your stomach.
- The images from the camera on the endoscope are viewed on a monitor, and a special device is used to place about 8-10 stitches inside the stomach, reducing its size.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time spent | Between 1 and 1.5 hours (60-90 minutes). |
| Being in the hospital | Most of the time, you can go home the same day. Only if there is any discomfort (pain, nausea) will you be admitted to the hospital for treatment. |
| Pain | There may be some mild pain as the stomach heals. This will go away after a few days. |
| Going back to work | Most people can return to normal activities within about a week. |
What is the difference between ESG and regular weight loss surgery (Gastric Sleeve)?
The goal of both of these methods is to compress the stomach and shape it into a "sleeve," or tube-like shape. But there is a big difference in how it is done. You'll easily understand this when you look at this table.
| Aspect | ESG (endoscopic method) | Gastric Sleeve (surgery) |
|---|---|---|
| How to do | It is done by inserting an endoscope through the mouth. | It is done by making a few small incisions in the abdomen. |
| What does it do to the stomach? | A portion of the stomach is stitched closed. No part is removed. | About 80% of the stomach is cut and removed. |
| Permanence | Semi-permanent. If necessary, the stitches can be removed and the stomach can be restored to normal. | Permanent. The removed part cannot be reinstalled. |
| Recovery time | Quick. It will return to normal in a few days. | It takes a long time. It could take several weeks. |
| Effect on hunger | It doesn't have much effect on hormones that control hunger. | Hunger is significantly reduced by removing the part that produces hunger hormones. |
Results and what to follow
Many people who do ESG lose between 15% and 20% of their total body weight within the first year. This is more than enough to control obesity-related diseases.
But remember, this is not magic. To achieve long-term successful results, you must definitely adopt a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. It is very important to follow the diet instructions given by the doctor (liquid -> pureed food -> regular food) exactly during the first month after treatment.
Obesity is not something that can be easily controlled. Due to changes in the body's chemistry, sometimes it is difficult to lose weight no matter how much diet and exercise you try. At such times, a low-risk, non-surgical treatment like ESG can be like a best friend who shows you the way to a healthy life.
Take-Home Message
- ESG is a modern treatment method that uses an endoscope to shrink the stomach and reduce weight without any incisions or surgery.
- This is a very suitable option for those who are obese (BMI 30+) but are afraid or unwilling to undergo major surgery.
- The recovery period after treatment is short and the risk of side effects is very low.
- On average, you can expect a 15%-20% loss in body weight.
- This treatment alone is not enough. For long-term results, it is imperative to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle.
- Be sure to discuss this treatment with your doctor to see if it is right for you.
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