Gastroplasty is a procedure that reduces the size of the stomach without the use of surgery. It is performed to help obese individuals who have been unsuccessful in losing weight with exercise or by strictly controlling their food intake. Often, for these patients, their excess weight has begun to adversely affect their health.
Today, we'll go over Gastroplasty, also known as ESG (endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty), and discuss what it is, how it works, where you can get it, and the long-term effects of endoscopic gastroplasty.
What Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
The primary intent of gastroplasty is to non-surgically reduce the usable size of the patient's stomach. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive technique used to reduce the stomach’s capacity. It is often used for people who would not qualify for bariatric surgery or do not wish to have surgery.
How Is Gastroplasty Done?
During endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, the surgeon uses an endoscope, which is a medical instrument that resembles a flexible tube with a tiny camera attached. This camera allows the surgeon to be guided by a real-time video feed as they perform the procedure.
A special suturing instrument is lowered down the endoscope and is used to place a number of strategic stitches into the stomach until it resembles a tube-like shape and has been reduced in capacity by approximately two-thirds. The procedure generally takes between 45 and 90 minutes.
After the procedure, the patient abstains from eating for about 8 hours and then will be on a liquid diet for a time according to the doctor's instructions. They will gradually move to soft foods and then to a more regular diet. Introducing solid foods gradually after the ESG procedure helps to acclimate the stomach while it adjusts to its new confines.
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The Benefits of Gastroplasty
ESG limits how much a person can eat at one time, but it also helps control the feelings of hunger that often plague individuals as they try to lose weight. The reduced stomach size causes the digestion of food to slow down, so the patient stays full longer. Also, the production of the hormone ghrelin, which sends signals to the brain telling us we are hungry, is significantly reduced.
ESG does not require a hospital stay, and patients are usually back to work and their normal routines in under a week. Also, patients do not have any activity restrictions after gastroplasty vs bariatric surgery.
Unlike bariatric surgery, gastroplasty does not involve surgically altering any other digestive organs, so dumping syndrome (food rushing through the stomach and into the small intestine, causing symptoms such as cramps and diarrhea) is not a factor, and the patient receives all the nutrition from their food.
Some of the long-term effects of endoscopic gastroplasty include the following:
- Sustained weight loss;
- A reduction or elimination of obesity-related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, joint pain, mobility issues, sleep apnea, etc.;
- Improvements in reproductive health and fertility;
- A lower risk of premature death caused by obesity;
- Increased self-esteem and self-confidence;
- Lower anxiety in social situations;
- Increased wardrobe options.
Gastroplasty Could Be Right for You!
If you are suffering from obesity and/or any of the conditions related to obesity, we invite you to contact us today and set up a consultation to learn more about gastroplasty and how it can help you.
Patients have lost an average of 60% of their excess weight in just six months after the simple outpatient ESG procedure. Also, many patients have gained freedom from weight-related illnesses and have been able to reduce or eliminate their medication.
The skilled professionals at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center in Rego Park, New York, will be pleased to explain the ESG procedure (also called Suture Sculpt ESG) and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today; we look forward to speaking with you!
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