Obesity is a chronic, multi-factorial, relapsing condition that requires safe, effective, long-term treatments. Weight loss is an important aspect of treatment, but it’s not a cure.
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.
In fact, as many as 80 to 95 percent of people who lose significant weight through diet alone will relapse and regain the weight they lost.
All About ESG
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is the most effective non-surgical, minimally invasive weight loss procedure available to patients today. ESG involves placing a thin, flexible tube (called an endoscope) down the throat and into the stomach. Once it’s in place, a gastroenterologist uses the attached camera and suturing device to stitch the stomach in an accordion-like pattern to shrink it by 70 to 80 percent into a banana-shaped, sleeve-like gastric pouch. This limits how much you can eat, restricts calorie intake, and helps you feel full for longer – leading patients to lose about 20 percent of their total body weight.
The procedure is performed under sedation in an outpatient setting and takes less than an hour to complete. The risk of complication is extremely low (less than 1 percent) and all patients return home the same day. Because there are no abdominal incisions, there aren’t any activity restrictions after an ESG. We encourage patients to go for a walk when they get home from the procedure.
Patients need to follow certain dietary guidelines after the procedure, including a liquid diet for about 2 weeks, gradually progressing to pureed, soft, and semisolid foods. After 6 to 8 weeks, patients can resume a normal diet with reduced portions.
ESG is an excellent treatment option for patients over 21, with a BMI of 30 or more, who aren’t eligible for or interested in traditional bariatric surgery.
Weight Loss and Long-Term Results with ESG
Just after the procedure, patients begin losing weight quickly—and many share that weight loss with ESG is easier than what they’ve experienced in the past with dieting, exercise, or other treatments. Over the first twelve months, most patients will lose, on average, approximately 20 percent of their total body weight.
Though weight loss peaks within the first year, the procedure is a long-term, permanent treatment that requires a sustainable diet and nutrition plan to keep the weight off. Once the stomach heals after ESG, it should remain in a smaller size and shape long-term. However, as with any weight loss procedure, we advise that overeating can lead to weight regain and/or failure of the sleeve over time.
That’s why it’s important to proactively manage weight over a lifetime to maintain ESG success. The comprehensive approach to after-care provided at True You Weight Loss – including lifelong medical follow-up and personalized care from a registered dietitian – helps set our patients up for long-term success and greater weight loss outcomes.
The Effectiveness of ESG: Research and Studies
The first ESG was performed in 2012 and quickly showed great promise as a non-surgical weight loss tool. By 2021, more than 20,000 ESG procedures were performed worldwide, and ESG practitioners recognized the need for a randomized, controlled study of ESG’s effectiveness. Therefore, the Multicenter ESG Randomized Interventional Trial (MERIT) study was launched, tracking 208 patients’ results across nine weight loss centers in the U.S.
Compared with a control group who went through a diet and exercise program alone, patients who underwent the ESG procedure had a 45 percent greater reduction in excess weight. The study also tracked patients over the two years following their procedure and found that patients had kept the weight off. The study was the first to demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of ESG, proving that weight loss after ESG is maintained for more than two years and typically up to 5 years or more.
ESG Benefits Beyond Weight Loss
The sutures used in the ESG procedure are built to last, too. They are made from Prolene, a type of synthetic polypropylene, and they stay intact inside the body, keeping their tightness to restrict the stomach indefinitely. They are not dissolvable.
At True You Weight Loss, our patients’ results surpass the national studies. Our patients lose, on average, 66 percent of their excess weight at the one-year mark.
Weight loss isn’t the only benefit of ESG. Patients also see improvements in:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar regulation
- Sleep apnea symptoms
- Joint pain and mobility
- Confidence and wellbeing
- Energy and stamina
True You Weight Loss Delivers Unrivaled ESG Expertise
ESG is a complex and highly technical procedure, requiring years of advanced training and education. The team at True You Weight Loss is composed of leading experts in the specialized field of bariatric endoscopy (also called endobariatrics). Dr. Lauren Donnangelo, Dr. Daniel Maselli, and Dr. Christopher McGowan are among a few physicians in the U.S. who are triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine.
They have performed thousands of non-surgical endoscopic weight loss procedures, including ESG, intragastric balloon placement, gastric fundal mucosal ablation, and bariatric revisions. In fact, True You Weight Loss is the highest volume weight loss center in the country. We’ve helped patients from 45 states and 10 countries. Our unparalleled experience and expertise mean better outcomes for our patients, a demonstrated commitment to long-term success, and an impeccable record of safety and efficacy.
In addition to our medical proficiency, we also take a comprehensive approach to weight loss care – understanding that it takes motivation, encouragement, and support to drop extra weight and keep it off. We believe follow-up care is just as important as the procedure itself. Our program includes nutrition counseling from a licensed dietitian and a lifetime support program to celebrate your successes on and off the scale.
Lastly, no matter where you live, you’ll have 24/7 direct access to your physician through cell phone, email, text, and video chat. We are deeply committed to a highly personalized level of care and attention so you always have support, wherever and whenever you need it.
We’re happy to talk about the success of our patients in losing weight and reclaiming their lives through ESG — request a free consultation today.
