If you have tried and failed to lose weight on your own and are considering weight loss surgery, you have probably already learned about the surgical gastric sleeve. This is the most often performed bariatric surgery in America today, with over 150,000 done each year.

Today we are going to talk about the pros and cons of gastric sleeve surgery, what the procedure involves, the risks, and the recovery. We will then present a non-surgical alternative to this surgery that is safer and offers very similar weight loss potential.

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What Is Involved in Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery can take anywhere between 1 and 2 hours to perform and involves removing about 80% of the patient’s stomach tissue.

Between 4 and 5 small incisions are created on the patient's abdomen and are used to insert special medical tools through these openings to perform the procedure. One of the tools is called a laparoscope, which allows the surgeon to visualize and precisely conduct the procedure using the live video images it projects onto a nearby screen.

The surgeon cuts away and removes about ¾ of the patient’s stomach and then staples the edges of the remaining stomach tissue together to form a smaller tube-like stomach pouch. Once the procedure is complete, the tools are removed and the incisions are closed up. Most patients have to stay in the hospital for a few days before they are discharged home to begin their 4-6 week recovery.

ESG Is A Safer Alternative To Surgery

Historically, gastric sleeve surgery was considered the least invasive way to medically intervene and help an individual who is obese get control of their weight. Today, there is another option that is much less invasive and requires very little downtime. Suture Sculpt endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) can reduce the usable capacity of a patient's stomach by between 70% and 75% without cutting or removing any portion of their stomach.

The entire procedure is completed from inside the patient's stomach by using an endoscope to gain access. While the patient is under sedation, the endoscope is lowered through the mouth and down the esophagus until it reaches the stomach. Then other tools, including a special suturing device, are lowered down the tool's hollow center. The doctor manipulates the stomach into a smaller tube-shaped sleeve, and then strategically placed sutures are used to hold it in place.

The endoscope is removed, and the patient is awakened from the sedative and observed for a few hours before being discharged to go home. Since there are no abdominal cuts made during the procedure, the recovery is much shorter than after gastric sleeve surgery. Most patients recover in just a few days, and within a week, are back to their normal routine.

How Are Gastric Sleeve Surgery And ESG Similar?

Both procedures significantly reduce the size of the patient's stomach, so they can only eat very small amounts of food at each meal. The smaller stomach also slows down the digestive process, so it empties slower and helps keep them feeling full for a longer time. The combination of controlled portions and prolonged satiety helps patients lose weight. These procedures are meant to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and permanent lifestyle changes that promote weight loss.

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Pros and Cons Of Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs ESG

Here is a chart that shows a comparison of the pros and cons of gastric sleeve surgery vs endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, clearly highlighting the benefits of the non-surgical alternative.

<table class="iksweb"><caption>Pros Of Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs ESG Chart</caption><tbody><tr><th>Gastric Sleeve Surgery</th><th>Suture Sculpt ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty)</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Reduces the stomach size and helps control portions by limiting the amount of food an individual can eat during one meal.</td></tr><tr><td>Average weight loss results are between 25 and 30% of patients total starting weight.</td><td>Average weight loss results are between 20 and 23% of patients total starting weight.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Slows down the rate of digestion and prolongs the feeling of fullness.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">It does not prevent the body from absorbing and using vital vitamins and minerals, so there is a reduced risk of nutritional deficiencies compared to other forms of bariatric surgery.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Patients experience fewer hunger cravings due to a reduction in the production of ghrelin, the hunger-inducing hormone.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Improvement or resolution of conditions like type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and other weight-related medical conditions.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">It does not trigger dumping syndrome like with other types of bariatric surgery. This happens when food moves too fast from the stomach to the small bowel, causing stomach cramping, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Does not involve surgery or abdominal incisions.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>The surgery time is shorter, requiring less time under general anesthesia.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>The risks of complications are less than 1%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>It is an outpatient procedure, and patients go home to recover the same day without spending time in the hospital.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Very short recovery time of a week or less. The patient has zero activity restrictions.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>There are no incisions, so there is no visible scarring</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>No part of the patient’s stomach is removed and it is reversible.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>It is a good option for patients who do not qualify for surgery.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table class="iksweb"><caption>Cons Of Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs ESG Chart</caption><tbody><tr><th>Gastric Sleeve Surgery</th><th>Suture Sculpt ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty)</th></tr><tr><td>20% of patients suffer chronic <a href="/blog/acid-reflux-after-gastric-sleeve/">heartburn, or GERD, after gastric sleeve surgery.</a></td><td>Less than 1% of patients experience heartburn or acid reflux after the procedure.</td></tr><tr><td>The surgery is done laparoscopically through 4 to 5 small incisions that are made in the patient’s abdomen.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The incisions leave visible scars.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>80% of the individual’s stomach tissue is cut away and permanently eliminated. There is no way to reverse this.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>It takes between 4 and 6 weeks to recover. Patients will have activity restrictions for several weeks.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Requires a hospital stay of between 1-3 days.</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Risks And Complications

Every medical procedure carries potential risks, but the risks of surgery are typically higher. Both gastric sleeve surgery and non-surgical ESG come with some risks, but compared to other types of bariatric surgery, they are significantly lower. To reduce the risks associated with either procedure, it is important that your surgery or ESG procedure be performed by a board-certified expert with extensive experience.

Risks Of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

• Potential complications from general anesthesia;
• The risk of staple line leaking is between 1 % and 3%;
• Injury to nearby organs;
• Infection;
• Too much bleeding;
• Blot Clots;
• Puncture of the stomach;
• Ulcers and hernias;
• Gallstones.

Risks Of ESG

• Risks associated with sedation;
• Mild abdominal discomfort, nausea, or vomiting for a few days following the procedure;
• The risk of stomach perforation is less than 1%;
• The risk of stomach bleeding is less than 1%.

How Do I Know Whether Gastric Sleeve Surgery Or Suture Sculpt ESG Is The Best Option For Me?

Working with an obesity-trained expert like the professionals at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center is the best way to determine the best medical intervention for your circumstances.

If you are considering bariatric surgery, this list of pros and cons of gastric sleeve surgery demonstrates that Suture Sculpt ESG is just as effective, less invasive, and offers a lightning-fast recovery compared to surgery. Reach out to us today and let us share the options we offer that can help you get control of your health and reach your weight loss goals.

Non-surgical Suture Sculpt ESG has helped thousands of other patients look and feel their best, and it may be the perfect option for you too. Check out some of our patient testimonials before and after ESG, and you will see the potential of this non-surgical alternative for weight loss. Set up your consultation today and get started on your own weight loss testimonial.

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