Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, also known as the Suture Sculpt procedure is an excellent alternative to bariatric surgeries. It is a great non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure for those who want results, but cannot have any risks that surgery entails. If you are considering the procedure, you might be interested in how ESG is done. In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Suture Sculpt procedure.
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How Does Suture Sculpt Work?
Suture Sculpt is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that narrows down the stomach to a tube-like shape by placing stitches in it. This method helps to lessen the volume of the stomach by around 70%. The procedure is done using an endoscope and special equipment and does not require any incisions on the skin that leave scars and carry high risks. ESG uses stitches to fold the large part of the stomach like an “accordion”. Unlike laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, one of the popular bariatric surgeries, it does not remove any part of the stomach, it reduces the size of the stomach by just folding it and suturing folds together.
After the stomach size has decreased significantly, a person will be prompted to eat less. Also, the stomach emptying will slow down notably which will keep the patient full for longer. All of these will help the patient to consume fewer calories. These efforts of decreased food intake combined with a balanced diet and regular physical activity will lead to substantial weight loss both in the short and long term.
Are You A Good Candidate For This Procedure?
Usually, you are a good candidate for ESG if you:
- Your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher (obese);
- Could not lose enough weight with diet and exercise alone;
- Do not want to undergo an invasive bariatric surgery;
- Ready to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
During your appointment with us, we will determine if ESG is the right choice for you. To do that, we will ask for your medical history and take some measurements. Also, the doctor will discuss with you the possible side effects and answer all your questions regarding the procedure so that you will be well informed about the procedure.
How to Get Started with ESG?
This article is for informational purposes only, so it is always recommended to consult with a doctor and ask as many questions as possible about your specific case. At Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center, we have two options for how we can connect and discuss your weight loss journey with the ESG procedure.
- You can leave your contacts on our website and we reach out to you and help you get an appointment with us to get going on.
- You visit our website and schedule a virtual or in-person consultation with us.
Choose the option that suits you best and reach out to us.
Here is the ESG procedure video that provides a good overview of what needs to be done to get Suture Sculpt done.
The patient Coordinator Will Help You Prepare For The Suture Sculpt
After the consultation and determining if ESG is suitable for you, you will be assigned a patient coordinator who will help you schedule and plan everything to get ESG done. They will schedule your blood tests, and pre-testing and assist you with the financial arrangements.
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The Suture Sculpt ESG Procedure: What to Expect Day by Day
Proper preparation for the procedure sets the right direction for the patient’s weight loss journey and ensures its success. Here is a detailed summary of what should be done before, during, and after the Suture Sculpt procedure.
24 Hours Before The ESG Procedure
You will be on a liquid diet for 24 hours. Although it might be scary for some people, it is not that hard. With the support and care that Dr. Batash’s team provides, the process will be easy. You will be given all the instructions and tips on how to make your journey smooth right from the start.
Procedure Day
It is important to bring a chaperone with you because we want to ensure that you are well taken care of not only by our team but also by some of your loved ones.
Next, you enter the procedure room and Dr. Batash will be with you all the way. You will also meet the anesthesiologist and ask as many questions as you have. Then you will fall asleep under general anesthesia and the procedure will begin.
Here is the step-by-step depiction of the ESG procedure:
- The doctor marks up the front and back walls of the stomach to help guide the placement of sutures.
- He takes an endoscope - a flexible tube with a light, camera, and a suturing device. He inserts them into the mouth, down through the esophagus, and reaches the stomach.
- The endoscopic suturing system attached to the endoscope is used to take full-thickness bytes through the walls of the stomach in the previously marked-up places. The doctor performs a running suture pattern that connects the front and back walls of the stomach.
- Then the sutures are tightened bringing the walls together. This pattern is repeated along the stomach to reduce its volume and length by about 70%.
The camera attached to the tube will project the whole procedure on the screen and ensure the high quality and precision of the stitches. The procedure will take about one to two hours.
You can watch the full video recording of the real ESG procedure being conducted by Dr. Batash at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center in 2021.
After Suture Sculpt
After the procedure has been finished, the patient will be taken to a recovery room and closely watched during the time when she or he arouses from anesthesia. Once awake, the patient will start walking in the room with the assistance of the nurse or doctor.
The patient can drink liquids that are low-fat, sugar-free, and non-carbonated. About 3 hours following the procedure, when the patient is able to walk and drink liquids, he or she can go home with the chaperone. Important to remember that the patients may be discharged only with the accompaniment of an adult chaperone.
For only a week after the Suture Sculpt, the patient needs to have a liquid diet. It might sound scary, but it is manageable and even enjoyable for some people because there are many delicious and succulent liquid diet recipes to explore. Thanks to our vast experience in ESG and our many patients, we can offer a special liquid diet guide that will suit every taste and stomach.
Regarding further diet requirements, possible medication, and other questions, Dr. Batash and his team will provide more specific information and guidelines depending on the individual circumstances of the patient. Medical professionals at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center regularly keep in touch with the patients and offer their support and expertise to make the weight loss journey of each patient as smooth as possible.
In the following video, you can hear one of our Suture Sculpt patients sharing her post-op experience:
What Is The Recovery Time For Suture Sculpt?
Compared to other bariatric procedures, the recovery time for the Suture Sculpt is significantly shorter. You can go home only several hours after the procedure and return to work in 1-3 days. After a month you can recover completely and dive into a more intense physical activity to accelerate your weight loss.
How Painful Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
Usually, patients feel mild pain after the procedure when the stomach starts healing. Some people might have a little stronger pain and nausea for a few days following the procedure. These minor side effects can be managed with medications that you can easily buy over the counter. Also, in some cases, your doctor can prescribe some medicine to alleviate the pain.
What Are The Side Effects Of Suture Sculpt Endoscopic Sleeve?
Suture Sculp or Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is one of the safest weight loss options available nowadays. So, side effects such as cramping, nausea, reflux, and bleeding are possible, but rare and temporary. Dr. Batash does everything to prevent these side effects. The doctor can prescribe medicines before and after the procedure and provide guidelines on how and when to take them to maximize their effectiveness. Our team will be in touch with you to monitor the recovery process.
Is ESG Surgery Permanent?
The stitches placed in the stomach are permanent and non-dissolvable, but some of them might break over time if the person often overeats. So, it can be regarded as partially reversible.
Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center offers one of the safest and most effective solutions available nowadays to overweight and obese people - the Suture Sculpt procedure. Now as we have discussed how Suture Sculpt ESG is done, how it works, and what one should do before and after the procedure, it is time to book a consultation with us and start your weight loss journey right off the bat.
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