See more in this video on the ESG Procedure:
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) – A New Incisionless Weight Loss Procedure
ESG is a new procedure that allows physicians to reduce the volume of the stomach without removing any of it, and without making any incisions. The procedure is most commonly associated with the Overstitch device from Apollo EndoSurgery. This device is used in combination with an endoscope, while the patient is sedated, to go down through the mouth and place sutures inside the stomach. Unlike similar devices that have been used in the past, the Overstitch allows for much more secure “full-thickness” sutures to be placed. This results in more durable sutures that are less likely to pull through in time.
Endoscopic sutures are placed to “tuck” the stomach in on itself, which results in a narrower diameter and a shorter overall length of stomach. The result is smaller portion sizes. As with any weight loss procedure though, long term succes relies on healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and long term follow up.
The procedure is done under sedation in an endoscopy suite on an outpatient basis. Patients are typically back to work in a few days and diet is advanced slowly from liquids to pureeed, then finally soft solid foods.
Short-term results of the ESG have shown that the weight loss for this procedure lies somewhere between that of gastric band and gastric sleeve. At this point it is thought to be best utilized on lower BMI patients, in the 30-40 range.
As with any new weight loss procedure, we still await long-term data before we can say definitively that the lost pounds will stay off forever, but preliminary data is encouraging and it is always good to have new non-surgical treatments for the disease of obesity.
Can this procedure be done under sedation but not general anasthesia?
This needs to be done under general as it is important that the patient isn’t moving around.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Can procedure be reversed?
Can you have children after procedure? How soon after?
Will this reduce hungry craves?
How is nutrient absorption?
Do you have to do their rigorous process before surgery?
Is it covered my medicaid?
The procedure is not easily reversible, it would maybe be technically possible but very high risk.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Also as to your other questions, pregnancy is fine after ESG as long as you wait until you weight loss stops, minimum 12-18 months. The procedure usually reduces hunger a bit, but not majorly.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
I was needing a Nissen/hiatal hernia repair. I was curious if this could be done with the ESG procedure..
I was told it could be done during the VSG but can’t be off work the time required for VSG…
A Nissen can’t be done along with an ESG unfortunately.
Is there something they can do to help with reflux with the procedure.. I’m in a ESG support group. Many have said their doctor added a couple extra stitches at the head of the stomach that helped with reflux. I’ve also done a phone consult with a doctor who does it but I don’t want to fly to another state. I’d rather be closer to home… And I was curious about the price and insurance coverage….
Our current price for ESG is $9900 and that includes BLIS coverage in the unlikely case of complications. I’m not sure if Dr. Pitt does anything along the lines of what you are talking about, it’d be best to set up a consult with him to discuss.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
Thank you.. I have a few questions I need addressed…
What is the current pricing for the ESG procedure?
Current price is $9900 – click on “Financing Options” on the callout on the right hand side for more info on pricing and to apply for financing online.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
This may be a stupid question but… can food get caught behind the sutures and cause an infection ?
Great question, I have wondered this myself but it doesn’t seem to happen, at least we have never seen it.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians
I had a Nissen Fundoplication done about 12 years ago- would I be a candidate for ESG still?
Hello there and sorry for the delay, an ESG could possibly be an option after a Nissen but would need to be decided on a case by case basis. Give our patient service representatives a call at 513-259-2555.
Dr. Trace Curry
Medical Director
JourneyLite Physicians