Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is usually a procedure followed for weight loss to decrease the stomach's capacity. This is predominantly a modern way of weight loss that is minimally invasive with decreased chances of risks or complications. In this procedure, an endoscopic suturing tool is let through your mouth to the stomach, and sutures are placed in specified patterns, which are tightened to make your stomach smaller.
This procedure is recommended if you possess a BMI between 30 to 40 or even after multiple efforts to lose weight by adjusting your diet and fitness routine.
ESG helps you to accelerate your weight loss process. The procedure further helps in lowering the levels of your blood sugar and other probable ailments due to obesity. However, the procedure requires stringent commitments to a cleaner and healthier lifestyle to reap the procedure's benefits throughout your life span.
Benefits of undergoing Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, as mentioned, is an oral procedure of decreasing the stomach using an endoscope. This procedure proffers an array of benefits over conventional stomach reduction methods, which include the following:
- Safe procedure over traditional methods
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Much affordable than other weight-loss programmes
- Lesser side effects and complications
- Lesser pain
- Decreased risk of infections
- Minimal external scars or marks
- Shorter recovery time cycle
- Brief hospital stay
Reasons on why Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is done
ESG not just helps you lose weight but also help in keeping other serious health conditions often related to being obese at bay, such as:
- Heart conditions and stroke
- High blood pressure
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis (joint pain)
- Type 2 diabetes
Do you need Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty?
Most medications can be continued as usual, but some medications can interfere with the preparation or the examination. Inform your doctor about medications you’re taking, particularly aspirin products, arthritis medications, anticoagulants (blood thinners such as warfarin or heparin), clopidogrel, insulin or iron products. Also, be sure to mention allergies you have to medications.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is usually suggested to those people whose BMI is over 30. This procedure is not for everyone who is overweight. The doctors prescribe this procedure if you are unsuccessful in your weight loss journey, even after an earnest fitness routine and lifestyle adjustments. Similarly, this procedure is also advisable if you don’t qualify or want to engage in conventional bariatric surgery.
Your doctors may also undertake a screening procedure to analyse if the Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty procedure might suit you. It is a given that you should be prepared to devote yourself to lifestyle adjustments, a constant medical check-up at regular intervals, and take part in therapy sessions.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty isn't suitable if you have:
- gastrointestinal bleeding issues like gastritis or gastric ulcer
- undergoing peptic ulcer treatment
- a hiatal hernia
- has a history of stomach surgery such as appendix surgery
As endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a relatively modern procedure, chances of it being covered by your health insurance are minimal, so ensure to check with your health insurance company beforehand.
Are there any risks of undergoing Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
Early research and studies imply that endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty shows positive and favourable safety signs. Stomach ache and nausea are possible aftermaths that may happen for quite some days. Your doctor may treat these symptoms with nausea and pain drugs.
It is noteworthy to mention that almost everyone feels much better after few days. It is also pertinent to note that although it is not conceived as a short-term or a temporary process, this procedure may be reversed. There have been instances where it is changed to bariatric surgery. As this procedure is quite new, there is a haze around its long-run efficacy and risks.
Preparing before the procedure
Once you meet the criteria for this procedure, your hospital will provide detailed guidelines on getting ready for this procedure. Depending on your medical history, you may have to undertake lab tests before surgery.
There may also be restrictions on food habits and the medications that you have to take. Your doctor may also require you to begin a fitness programme.
Recovery from endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty normally takes a few days. It is advisable to arrange for a companion during your stay at the hospital and help at your home after.
What should you expect from this procedure?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is done as an outpatient procedure in the Endoscopy ward. So, you may get discharged on the same day of your procedure. Some may require a brief admission for a day or two for observation purposes after this procedure.
This procedure is done under general anaesthesia, so you'll be unconscious throughout. An endoscope, i.e., a flexible tube with a camera and an endoscopic suturing tool attached, goes through the oesophagus and stomach. The whole procedure takes around ninety minutes.
After the procedure
Once this procedure is finished, you would be refrained to eat for around eight hours. You will be, then instructed to start with a diet with liquid foods for about fourteen days. For around four to five weeks, you'll go on to soft foods before switching to a normal healthy food diet. There would be regular medical follow-ups with a psychologist and nutritionist afterwards.
Conclusion
Weight gain is possible if you fail to adhere to the advised lifestyle adjustments. To prevent regaining weight, it is imperative to stick to a permanent healthy lifestyle with a clean diet coupled with regular physical activities.