Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, which is short for ESG, is a relatively new but highly effective weight loss procedure. In this article, we will learn about how ESG works, some benefits, and more.

Many people around the world are becoming overweight or obese. The World Health Organization says more than 1 billion people will be overweight or obese by 2030. This is a scary number if you don’t move a lot and eat well. Depending on the individual, exercising and monitoring how much they eat may help them lose or maintain weight. “How to lose weight?” This is because people with arthritis cannot do aerobic exercise. In short, the only solution is surgery. 

With the advancement of science, there is now endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (ESG) and sleeve gastrectomy laparoscopic gastric surgery (LSG). 

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) 

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive yet non-surgical procedure. It reduces the size of your stomach; hence, it will help you stop overeating. If you are looking for a long-term weight-loss solution, then ESG is definitely better than traditional surgery. 

How Does ESG Work? 

An ESG procedure is performed through an endoscope. It is a flexible tube with a camera and surgical instruments attached to it. This is how the procedure works: The procedure involves the following steps: 

1. Gastroscopy 
   The patient’s stomach is examined for any abnormalities. This procedure is called gastroscopy. Here, we use an endoscope, which is then inserted through the mouth and down the esophagus to access the stomach. 

1. Stitching 
   As the endoscope is inside the stomach, the surgeon uses it to make various sutures in the stomach wall. These are strategically placed in the stomach to reduce its capacity while reducing its size. 

1. Recovery 
   The best part about this procedure is that ESG is an outpatient procedure. Hence, patients can return home the same day. Also, the recovery time is short, so patients can return to normal activities in a few days. 

Pros and Cons of ESG 

Pros:  

• Minimally Invasive: Unlike LSG, ESG is a less invasive procedure as it involves surgical incisions. 
• Reduced Risk: It has less risk of infections and other complications as it is a non-incision procedure.  

• Reversible: The best part is that this procedure is reversible, hence the sutures can be removed. 
• Quick Recovery: Since ESG is a minimally invasive procedure, it has a shorter recovery period. 

Cons: 

• Limited Weight Loss: It leads to slower weight loss.  
• Not Suitable for All: Even though it is a better procedure, it is not recommended for severely obese individuals. 

• Less Data Available: Since it is a relatively newer procedure, there is less long-term data available online.  

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) 

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is a bariatric surgery. It involves the removal of a stomach’s portion to make it smaller, hence, making it looks like a banana-shaped stomach pouch. 

How LSG Works? 

LSG is performed under general anaesthesia and involves the following steps: 

1. Stomach Resection 
   In this procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and then uses a laparoscope to remove 80% of the stomach. This gives the stomach a tabular shape; therefore, it helps in restricting food. 

1. Stapling 
   The stomach is stapled to create a smaller, sleeve-like structure.  

1. Removal of Excess Tissue 
   The removed portion of the stomach is permanently excised. 

1. Recovery 
   This is an inpatient procedure; hence patients can stay in the hospital for a day or two only. However, full recovery may take a few weeks. 

Pros and Cons of LSG 

Pros: 

• Effective Weight Loss: LSG helps in significant weight loss unlike ESG. 
• Long-Term Data: The medical websites have a good amount of data on its long-term effectiveness and safety. 
• Improves Obesity-Related Conditions: Many patients have experienced improvements in conditions lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension. 

Cons: 

• Invasive Procedure: Since the procedure has surgical incisions, it is considered a more invasive procedure. 
• Irreversible: It permanently alters the stomach’s structure and is not reversible procedure unlike ESG. 
• Risk of Complications: As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications associated with LSG. 

Comparing ESG and LSG 

To help you make an informed decision about whether ESG or LSG is more suitable for you, let’s compare these two weight loss procedures in a table: