Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Same-day procedure, lifelong results!
- Non-surgical, same-day weight loss procedure.
- Feel full faster & longer for sustainable weight loss.
- Lose up to 20% of your body weight without any incisions.
What Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (also known as ESG) is an innovative, non-surgical weight loss procedure that can help you lose up to 20% of your body weight. It’s a safe and highly-effective option that rivals traditional bariatric surgery – offering comparable weight loss results without surgery. The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure reduces the size of your stomach by 70% to 80%, which limits how much you can eat, restricts your calorie intake, and helps you feel full for longer – all resulting in rapid, sustainable weight loss.
The ESG procedure is performed by expert physicians who are highly-trained in gastroenterology and obesity medicine. Using a revolutionary suturing device that enters the body through the mouth, your doctor will place stitches inside the stomach to reduce its size – all without any external incisions or cutting. It differs significantly from bariatric surgery in that it’s non-surgical, requires minimal downtime, and carries an extremely low risk of complications. For patients who have tried diet and exercise for decades without success, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty offers a new way to reach your weight loss goals quickly, under the direction of an expert medical team – for long-term results.
The True You Weight Loss team has performed more ESG procedures than any other weight loss center in the country – helping thousands of patients lose weight and keep it off. Our personalized approach involves supporting you through every step of your weight loss journey. Our caring and compassionate medical and nutrition team will not only help you through your procedural journey, we get to know you on a personal level – understanding your unique challenges, goals and motivations. This helps us develop a plan for long-term weight loss success that is tailored to your specific needs.
Learn about ESG-MAX™, the revolutionary procedure pioneered by True You physicians
Who Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty For?
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30
- Have not succeeded with diet and exercise alone
- Are looking for an alternative to invasive bariatric surgery
- Do not qualify for gastric bypass surgery for medical reasons
- Are ready to commit to lifestyle changes for long-term success
The FDA has authorized endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for men and women aged 21 and over. During your consultation, your True You Weight Loss team will learn more about your personal history, including previous weight loss efforts, medical conditions, and current medications to determine whether the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty might be the right procedure for you.
How Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Performed?
At True You Weight Loss, our highly-experienced team is committed to your success – and that begins long before the day of your procedure.
ESG is performed under sedation, which means you will be asleep throughout the procedure – which takes less than 60 minutes to complete.
Your physician will use an endoscope to perform your procedure, which is placed in the mouth and down into the stomach. The endoscope is a flexible tube with a camera on the end so your doctor can “see” the treatment area. The endoscope is equipped with a suturing system, which places stitches in the stomach to reduce its size.
How Much Weight Can I Expect To Lose?
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Better regulation of blood sugar
- Improvement in sleep apnea
- Improved joint pain and mobility
- Improved confidence and overall well-being
- More energy and stamina
Long-term commitment to our program is the single greatest contributor to your success. Maintaining follow-up appointments with your care team, meeting with your dietitian regularly, and incorporating a healthy lifestyle will help you achieve your goals. And, your True You Weight Loss team will be here to support you every step of the way!
HOW MUCH WEIGHT YOU’LL LOSE
ESG is currently the most effective non-surgical weight loss procedure available, producing an average of 20% total body weight loss at 1 year. Though results may vary for each individual undergoing ESG, most patients will lose 70% of their excess weight, or more.
ESG Weight Loss
How much weight our patients lose after their procedure
COME FIND YOURSELF AT TRUE YOU FREEDOM IS WAITING
True You Weight Loss has treated more than 3000 patients with ESG, more than any center in the U.S.
WHY CHOOSE TRUE YOU FOR ESG?
Endoscopic
Expertise
Complex procedures like ESG require a comprehensive skill set to perform successfully. Dr. Christopher McGowan is among the few physicians in the nation who is triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine. He's a recognized leaders in the field of endoscopic weight loss, having performed thousands of bariatric endoscopy procedures. Because of this expertise, he is routinely called upon to train and educate other physicians in the technique of endoscopic suturing. True You Weight Loss is the highest-volume endoscopic weight loss center in the United States – which means we’ve performed more procedures than any other practice in the country. This unrivaled level of experience translates to better outcomes, greater weight loss, and long-term success for our patients.
Lifelong Follow-Up
At True You Weight Loss, your procedure day is just the beginning of your journey – and we firmly believe that your follow-up care is just as important as the procedure itself. That’s why we provide a comprehensive team of experts to help you achieve your goals by offering individualized guidance for as long as you need it. We offer motivation, encouragement, and support through every step of your journey – helping you to overcome any obstacles and celebrating all your victories – on and off the scale.
24/7 Physician
Access
No matter where you live, you will receive the highest level of concierge care and service from your True You Weight Loss team. All patients are provided with 24/7 direct access to their physician via their personal cell phone, email, and video chat. We have cared for patients from more than 45 states and 10 countries, offering a highly personalized level of care, attention, and support.
ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTROPLASTY
STARTING AT
$217/Monthly*
or $11,995
*Financing offers subject to credit approval, and may vary based on individual credit history.
- INITIAL CONSULTATION
- PRE-PROCEDURE LABS
- COMPREHENSIVE BARIATRIC NUTRITION CONSULTATION
- ESG PROCEDURE (INCLUSIVE OF ALL FACILITY, ANESTHESIA, AND PHYSICIAN FEES)
- UNLIMITED MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP
- 24/7 DIRECT PHYSICIAN ACCESS
- POST-PROCEDURE NURSE VISIT WITH IV HYDRATION
- 1 YEAR OF ONE-ON-ONE NUTRITION COUNSELING
- FINANCING AVAILABLE*
Self-Pay
Pricing
Many of our patients simply don’t want surgery. At the same time, they feel hopeless because the lifestyle modifications of diet and exercise simply aren’t effective. True You provides solutions when you feel as though you’re out of options. While the ORBERA® procedure is not covered by insurance, we offer several financing options.
Traveling from Out Of State?
Patients have traveled to True You from more than 45 states and 10 countries. Our location is near an international airport for ease of travel and we have made arrangements with several local hotels for your convenience. Please note that all patients must be accompanied by a responsible adult when traveling from out of state.
frequently asked questions
How is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty different than a surgical sleeve gastrectomy?
The key difference is that endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is non-surgical. There are no incisions. It is performed entirely through the mouth using an endoscopic suturing system (Endomina). This allows for a fast recovery and healing, as well as a lower rate of adverse effects. The procedure is done on a same-day, outpatient basis. While ESG reduces the size of the stomach to a similar degree as a surgical sleeve gastrectomy, it does not involve the removal of any portion of the stomach.
The aim of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is the same as that of surgical gastric sleeve, that is, to reduce the stomach size by 60-70%. However, ESG has some potential benefits over surgical sleeve gastrectomy:
1. ESG is safer: Sleeve gastrectomy involves cutting the stomach and stapling the ends (hence the name sleeve gastrectomy, -ectomy means removal). This can give rise to serious complications such as bleeding and leaks along the staple line. In ESG, the stomach is sutured from the inside and is not cut. Thus, the risk of major complications is very low.
2. ESG is minimally invasive: With sleeve gastrectomy, a surgeon has to make multiple cuts on the abdominal wall to access the stomach. These later become scars. ESG is an endoscopic procedure; no external cuts or incisions are needed.
3. ESG is an outpatient procedure: ESG does not require hospitalization. It can be done in an outpatient clinic and you can go home the same day. With laparoscopic or surgical gastrectomy, you would need to spend at least a day or two in the hospital.
4. ESG enables faster recovery: As ESG requires no cutting of the abdominal muscles, the recovery is fast, and you can return to work and your daily chores within 2-3 days post-procedure. With sleeve gastrectomy, you might need to rest for more than 2-3 weeks.
Is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty an FDA-authorized procedure?
Yes! In July 2022, the Apollo ESG received FDA authorization for the treatment of adults with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 kg/m2 and 50 kg/m2. Previously, the FDA approved the Apollo Overstitch endoscopic suturing system for the non-specific indication of “tissue apposition.” But now the specific ESG procedure is FDA-authorized, based on the proven safety and efficacy results from clinical studies.
How much does endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty cost?
At True You, we believe the cost of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty should be transparent and all-inclusive so you know exactly how much you will pay. The True You ESG features a set price of $11,995, which includes services like your initial consultation and labs, 24/7 direct physician access, unlimited medical follow-up, and one full year of one-on-one nutrition counseling.
Since ESG is not covered by insurance at this time, we also provide several financing options to help make your weight loss treatment affordable for you.
How long does the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure take?
Approximately 30-40 minutes. The procedure is performed under anesthesia in an endoscopy suite. You will recover for 1-2 hours after the procedure. You will then be discharged home.
When can I return to work after the ESG procedure?
We recommend taking 2-3 days off after the procedure, to rest and recover.
Is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty permanent?
Once the stomach heals, it should remain in a smaller size and shape long-term. U.S. studies tell us that weight loss after endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is maintained for up to 5 years. The key to sustaining weight loss is to adhere to the recommended diet and to maintain a regular exercise regimen. We advise that overeating can lead to weight regain and/or failure of the sleeve over time, as with any weight loss procedure.
Can I exercise or lift weights after endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty?
Yes. There are no specific lifting restrictions immediately after ESG. However, we recommend starting first with light walking, even as soon as the day of your procedure. This helps with the recovery and passage of gas. Once you are meeting your protein and fluid goals consistently, you can begin to exercise more intensely. We generally recommend avoiding very strenuous exercise for 3-4 weeks, as your caloric intake may be too low to support this at first (you may get tired). After the first month, you should be able to do any form of exercise without limitation.
Is it ok to get pregnant after endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty?
After you have healed and recovered from your procedure, it is safe to become pregnant, though we generally recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before trying to get pregnant. We advise patients that fertility may increase after ESG, due to the metabolic improvements associated with weight loss.
What happens if I don’t lose as much weight as I want, or if my weight loss is slower than expected?
We will closely monitor your progress following the ESG procedure, to ensure that your weight loss is on track. It is very common and expected to have periods of slower weight loss during the 12-month process. If, despite optimizing your diet and exercise, you still need further assistance, we may recommend weight loss medications (pharmacotherapy). This would be provided under the guidance of your treating physician. These medications can greatly enhance your weight loss when used in conjunction with the ESG procedure.
Can the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure be repeated?
Yes. If the initial procedure is not completely successful, it can be safely repeated or tightened.
Do you offer ESG near me?
We offer the ESG procedure at our premier non-surgical weight loss center in Cary, NC. If you’re searching for “ESG near me,” look no further. Our center welcomes patients from both near and far, including local residents, national clients, and international visitors. We provide personalized recommendations for local accommodations to ensure a smooth experience. True You has proudly served patients from over 45 states and 10 countries, making us a trusted choice for those seeking expert ESG services near them.
