Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a procedure designed to facilitate weight loss and reduce the likelihood of severe weight-related health issues:

• Heart disease and stroke.
• High blood pressure.
• Elevated cholesterol levels.
• Joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• Sleep apnea.
• Type 2 diabetes.

Usually, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and other weight-loss procedures or surgeries are considered after attempts to lose weight through dietary and exercise improvements have been made.

To qualify for Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, you must meet the same eligibility requirements as for any bariatric surgery.

Before having surgery, you will undergo a series of medical evaluations, but the most common qualifying conditions include:

• body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 and stable weight for three months prior to the procedure,
• not being on any anticoagulation therapy,
• not being pregnant,
• not suffering from gastric ulcers or hiatal hernias

If you qualify for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, your healthcare team will provide you with detailed preparation instructions. Before surgery, you may be required to undergo various lab tests and physical examinations. There may be restrictions on what you can eat, drink, and take for medication. You may also be required to begin an exercise program.

Planning ahead for your recovery after the procedure is beneficial. For example, arrange for a companion or another person to assist at home. In most cases, recovery from endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty takes only a few days.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure in the endoscopy unit. It involves the use of general anesthesia, ensuring you are in a sleep-like state throughout the process.

During the procedure, a flexible tube called an endoscope, equipped with a camera and suturing device, is inserted down the throat and into the stomach. This enables the endoscopist to visualize and operate inside the stomach without the need for incisions in the abdomen.

Using the endoscope, the endoscopist places sutures in the stomach, altering its structure to resemble a tube. This modification reduces the stomach’s capacity, making you feel full more quickly and limiting the amount of food you can consume.

Typically, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty lasts between 1 to 2.5 hours.

Like any weight-loss program, your dedication to maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, nurturing your emotional well-being, and building resilience significantly influences your weight loss journey. When paired with lifestyle modifications, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty leads to approximately 18% to 20% total body weight loss within the 12 to 24 months following the procedure.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty has the potential to alleviate conditions commonly associated with excess weight, including:

• Heart disease or stroke.
• High blood pressure.
• Severe sleep apnea.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Joint pain resulting from osteoarthritis.