Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Same-day procedure, lifelong results!
- Lose 20% of your body weight within 12 months
- Non-surgical procedure without any incisions
- Feel full faster & longer for sustainable weight loss
What Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)?
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is an innovative, minimally invasive weight loss procedure that reduces the size of your stomach by 70-80% using a revolutionary endoscopic suturing device. This results in feeling fuller sooner and longer, reducing your calorie intake to help you achieve significant weight loss. 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.
ESG is a safe and highly effective weight loss option that rivals traditional bariatric surgery, offering comparable results without surgery. Our expert physicians focus exclusively on weight loss solutions and use a personalized approach to support you through every step of your weight loss journey. The True You Weight Loss team has treated more than 3,000 patients with ESG – more than any other center in the United States.
Maximize your weight loss with
ESG-MAX™
Benefits of ESG Weight Loss:
- Non-Surgical Procedure: ESG is performed without any external incisions and carries an extremely low risk of complications.
- Minimal Downtime: This procedure is performed on a same-day, outpatient basis meaning there’s no hospital stay and a fast recovery.
- Significant Weight Loss: Patients lose an average of 20% total body weight at 1 year, with noticeable results in the first 3 months.
Who Is a Good Candidate for ESG?
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is typically recommended for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who have not achieved success with diet and exercise alone.
Other qualities that may make you an ideal ESG candidate:
- You are looking for an alternative to invasive bariatric surgery
- You do not qualify for gastric bypass surgery for medical reasons
- You 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 Much Weight Will I Lose with ESG?
ESG is the most effective non-surgical weight loss procedure available today. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, patients lose an average of 20% of total body weight at the one-year mark. Although results can vary for each individual, most of our patients lose 70% or more of their excess weight. Recent data proves that most patients maintain that weight loss for more than two years and typically up to 5 years or more.
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. Your True You Weight Loss team will be here to support you every step of the way!
Additional Health Benefits
Weight loss isn’t the only benefit you will see after Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty. Other benefits include:
- 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
How Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Performed?
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.
At True You Weight Loss, our highly-experienced team is committed to your success – that begins long before the day of your procedure and continues through your weight loss journey.
- Before your ESG: Your physician may request certain lab tests and will provide detailed instructions for you to follow before your procedure. You will need to fast before your procedure, and you may need to make temporary changes to some of your medications before and after treatment.
- During 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.
- After your ESG: ESG changes the shape of the stomach to a tube or sleeve, reducing your stomach’s capacity by approximately 70-80%. The sutures will remain in your body, which allows your stomach tissue to heal around the new shape. Recovery time is minimal, with most patients returning to work and/or regular activities after just 2-3 days.
Come Find Yourself At True You Freedom Is Waiting
Why Choose True You for ESG?
True You Weight Loss is the highest-volume endoscopic weight loss center in the country – this unrivaled level of experience translates to better outcomes, greater weight loss, and long-term success for our patients.
Endoscopic
Expertise
Complex procedures like ESG require a comprehensive skillset. Dr. Christopher McGowan is a triple board-certified leader in endoscopic weight loss who has performed thousands of procedures and is frequently called upon to train other physicians in endoscopic suturing techniques.
Lifelong Follow-Up
True You Weight Loss provides comprehensive, lifelong follow-up care with a dedicated team of compassionate medical and nutrition experts to support you through every step of your weight loss journey. We offer personalized guidance, motivation, and encouragement to help you achieve your goals and celebrate your successes. Your long-term success is our priority.
24/7 Physician
Access
True You Weight Loss offers all patients 24/7 direct access to their physician via phone, email, and video chat, regardless of their location. We provide a high level of personalized concierge care and support to patients across the US and internationally. Expect dedicated attention throughout your journey.
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.
