Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a safe and effective alternative to weight loss surgery that helps patients lose 20 percent of their total body weight, on average, within one year. Those tremendous results come without the risks and complications of bariatric surgery, making ESG an excellent option for patients who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, but aren’t eligible or interested in bariatric surgery for whatever reason.
DR. CHRISTOPHER MCGOWN
Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD, a leader in endobariatrics, specializes in non-surgical obesity treatments and is triple-board-certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Obesity Medicine. Renowned for pioneering endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) with over 2,000 procedures, his global influence and research contributions define him as a top expert.
Why Choose ESG for Weight Loss?
Obesity is a chronic condition with many complicated factors as to how it impacts health, why it can be difficult to treat, and how it relates to multiple other medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Weight loss is a critical component of obesity treatment and it usually improves symptoms of obesity-related conditions such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and dyslipidemia (elevated levels of fat, including LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, in your blood).
ESG is the best minimally invasive, non-surgical option for weight loss available today. In the procedure, a gastroenterologist reduces the size of your stomach by 70 to 80 percent, diminishing caloric intake during and between meals, helping you feel full for longer – leading to rapid and sustainable weight loss.
How Does ESG Work?
The ESG is a fully endoscopic procedure, which means the gastroenterologist places an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube fitted with a camera and small state-of-the-art suturing device – down the throat and into the stomach. From there, the gastroenterologist can place stitches into the stomach to form a small gastric pouch.
It’s an outpatient procedure that takes about 45 minutes and is performed under sedation, so there’s no hospital stay or prolonged recovery period. It’s ideal for patients 21 and over with a BMI of at least 30.
Expected Weight Loss After ESG
Weight loss comes with a wealth of benefits – better overall health, improved symptoms of obesity-related medical conditions, and increased self-confidence and self-esteem. And that number on the scale is an important indicator for patients who want to see concrete success.
We advise our patients that, yes, the national average with ESG is a weight loss of 20 percent of total body weight – so about 50 percent of patients will lose more and the other 50 will lose less. However, a 20 percent loss of total body weight is extremely consistent as a national average and it’s fair to expect those results. Following post-procedure advice, nutrition plans, and exercise recommendations helps ensure your success.
So, if your starting weight is 200 pounds, you can expect to lose about 40 pounds or more, based on national studies of ESG results.
True You Weight Loss patients tend to do better than the national average, thanks in part to our unique customized approach combining nutrition counseling, 24/7 physician access, and lifelong follow-up.
But, keep in mind: 20 percent weight loss is not guaranteed; it requires dedication, commitment, consistency, follow-up with your medical and nutrition team, regular exercise, and time.
Comparing ESG to Other Weight Loss Options
When it comes to weight loss, there is a wide range of options with differing results.
Here’s how much you can expect to lose with the following obesity treatments, on average:
- Exercise alone: 1 percent total body weight
- Exercise plus a structured diet program: 4 percent total body weight
- Intragastric balloons, such as ORBERA®: 10 to 15 percent total body weight
- Weight loss medicines, such as phentermine, Wegovy, or Zepbound: 5 to 20 percent total body weight, depending on medication and dosage
- ESG: 20 percent total body weight
- Gastric sleeve surgery: 20 to 30 percent total body weight
- Gastric bypass surgery: 30 percent total body weight
How Quickly Can You Lose Weight After ESG?
How fast you shed excess weight will vary from person to person, but we generally think of ESG weight loss as a one-year program. Most patients drop the most weight rapidly within the first month and then continue to lose about 10 percent of their body weight in the first three months.
Losing 10 percent of your total body weight within the first three months is a key clinical marker for predicting long-term success.
It then takes about six months to lose the remaining 10 percent.
If you’re starting at a lower BMI, you’ll probably lose weight a little faster. If you’re at a higher BMI, it may take up to 1 or 2 years to lose that weight. True You Weight Loss does have patients who lose a whopping 100 to 150 pounds over the two years after an ESG procedure.
Why Choose True You Weight Loss for ESG?
True You Weight Loss is the highest volume endobariatric weight loss center in the U.S. — we’ve performed more endoscopic non-surgical procedures than any other practice in the country. Our unrivaled level of expertise in endoscopic weight loss techniques leads to better outcomes, greater weight loss, and long-term success for patients.
We’ve cared for patients from 45 states and 10 countries, offering the highest level of concierge care and support for your goals on and off the scale.
ESG is a complex procedure requiring a highly specialized skill set. Our three physicians – Dr. Lauren Donnangelo, Dr. Daniel Maselli, and Dr. Christopher McGowan – are among the few physicians in the U.S. who are triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine. They are recognized leaders in non-surgical weight loss procedures and regularly train and educate other physicians in cutting-edge endoscopic suturing techniques.
At True You Weight Loss, we understand that a non-surgical weight loss procedure is just the beginning of a journey back to confidence and health. We firmly believe 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 through individualized medical, diet, and exercise guidance for as long as you need.
After your procedure, you’ll also have 24/7 direct access to your physician via personal cell phone, text, email, and video chat.
If you want to learn more about whether ESG is the right choice for your weight loss journey, request a free consultation today.
