Achieving and maintaining a healthy BMI can be incredibly difficult for some people unless they have some sort of medical assistance. In fact, studies have shown that for many individuals who suffer from obesity, their chances of reaching a healthy weight with diet and exercise alone are less than one percent.
For many years, bariatric surgery was virtually the only option for medical intervention that these individuals had to choose from. Fortunately, there have been advancements in a rather new field called endobariatrics, which offers endoscopic bariatric procedures like gastric balloons and a non-surgical weight loss procedure called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), which delivers similar results to gastric sleeve surgery.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) has been trending on social media and is quickly becoming very popular and more in demand. As more people seek to undergo this non-surgical weight loss procedure, more doctors are beginning to add it to their menu of services. The big issue with this is that not all of them have the specialized training or hands-on experience needed to perform it safely and effectively.
Today we are going to talk about endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and provide you an overview of how ESG works, the benefits it can provide, the importance of selecting an advanced endoscopist vs. other MDs for ESG, and why choosing the right ESG provider is the first and most important decision you will have to make.
How Does ESG Help With Weight Loss?
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, or ESG, is a procedure where a doctor uses a tool called an endoscope, which is gently lowered down your throat and into your stomach. The endoscope resembles a hollow tube with an attached camera that gives the doctor access to the inside of your stomach without using any cuts or incisions and allows them to visualize what they are doing throughout the entire procedure.
The doctor places sutures from the inside in specific areas to make your stomach much smaller and to shape it into a narrow, curved tube. These changes help your stomach to get full faster and limits how much you can eat during one meal. ESG reduces the size of your stomach similar to gastric sleeve surgery, but no portion of your stomach is sliced off or removed, so the recovery usually only takes a few days.
The Demand For ESG Is Growing
ESG is becoming increasingly popular and is getting significant exposure on social media platforms because many people are sharing their success stories and the benefits of the procedure, which include:
- It does not require surgery, so it has fewer associated complications and risks;
- There is no need for incisions or a hospital stay;
- No permanent changes are made to your stomach or digestive system;
- ESG is reversible;
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty has proven it can help individuals lose a significant amount of weight, and many people lose between 15% and 20% or more of their starting body weight in just a year;
- ESG is often safer for many individuals than traditional bariatric surgery;
- Most patients recover in less than a week and report no pain during their recovery;
- It can help individuals lose a significant amount of weight and improve or eliminate metabolic conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain, etc.
These are just some of the reasons more people are choosing to use ESG to help them lose weight, and this increased demand is driving more doctors to add it to their menu of services. While it would be convenient if more people had access to ESG, the issue that is of concern is that many of these doctors do not have the skill or experience needed to perform the procedure safely or accurately.
What Type Of Doctor Performs Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who is trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the digestive system. These doctors treat issues related to the stomach, liver, intestines, and other GI conditions using a medical device called an endoscope, which is a hollow, flexible tube with a camera attached. Gastroenterologists are all trained in upper and lower GI endoscopy and spend significantly more time learning endoscopic skills than any other type of doctor, but only some gastroenterologists have the expertise needed to perform the ESG procedure.
Gastroenterologist vs Endobariatric Surgeon
Many people are confused about the differences between an endobariatric surgeon vs. a gastroenterologist because these terms are often used in relation to the ESG procedure.
Endobariatric Surgeon
- A specialist who is especially trained to perform weight loss procedures done inside the digestive system using an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera);
- They have training and expertise in both endoscopy, obesity medicine, and medical weight management treatments;
- They perform non-surgical weight loss procedures like endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) and intragastric balloon placement;
- They concentrate specifically on helping people lose weight using advanced weight loss tools and strategies that do not involve traditional surgery.
Gastroenterologist
- These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the digestive system, such as acid reflux, ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease, colon issues, liver disease, and more;
- They perform routine endoscopic procedures like colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, and biopsies to look for or treat digestive issues;
- Their training and expertise is not typically focused on weight loss or non-surgical weight loss procedures, but rather more routine GI conditions.
Are All Gastroenterologists Adequately Trained To Perform ESG?
No, not all gastroenterologists have the qualifications necessary to perform the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure because most focus their training on diagnostic or preventative procedures, and their usual training curriculum does not include the specialized skills needed to perform ESG.
The ESG procedure is more involved than just exploring certain areas inside the GI tract and requires the skill set of an advanced endoscopist. It requires a board-certified endoscopist who has received specialized training and can safely and strategically access the patient’s stomach using an endoscope and administer sutures from inside to change its shape and size. An ESG-trained doctor requires the following:
- Special medical tools;
- Steady hands;
- Advanced fellowship training;
- Advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology;
- Years of hands-on experience in performing ESG;
- Specialized training in obesity management.
Is it safe to get ESG from a general gastroenterologist?
ESG is not a basic procedure and requires special training and a significant amount of experience to perform it well and safely. Not every general gastroenterologist is trained to perform ESG, and even among those who have the training, not all have done it enough times to be considered highly skilled at it.
Just because someone is a gastroenterologist does not mean they are qualified to perform ESG, because this procedure takes special training and significant experience. A real-life example to demonstrate this concept would be if someone knew how to use a sewing machine and had made a few garments, they would not necessarily have the skill and expertise to create a custom wedding gown.
What Are The Risks Of Getting ESG From An Unqualified MD?
Allowing a doctor who is not properly trained or experienced to perform your ESG procedure can come with some significant risks, which include:
Unexpected or Poor Results
If the procedure is not done correctly, you might not lose as much weight as you expected, or any at all. The placement of the sutures that affect the shape and tightness of your new stomach sleeve makes a big difference in how successful your weight loss results will be. Using an inexperienced doctor could deliver ineffective results.
You Could Experience Complications During The Procedure
A doctor who is not fully trained and does not have extensive experience might not know how to handle unexpected issues that can come up while performing your ESG procedure, which could lead to internal bleeding, infection, or damage to the stomach wall.
You May Take Longer To Recover
A poorly performed ESG procedure can result in more pain, more nausea, and a slower healing process.
Need for a second procedure
If your first ESG procedure does not produce the expected results, you may need to have it done again, and depending on the technique used by the first doctor, this may involve more cost and elevated risk.
No follow-up care
Doctors who are not experienced with ESG might also have a limited understanding of the type of support you need afterward. You will need to follow a specific diet and participate in periodic check-ins to ensure the procedure is working as it should.
ESG is considered safe and effective when done by a specially trained gastroenterologist (someone who knows what they are doing). But in the hands of an inexperienced practitioner, it can turn into something risky and disappointing. Make sure you research your ESG doctor thoroughly to ensure you have chosen someone who possesses the expertise and experience to perform your endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty safely and with precision.
How Can I Vet My ESG Doctor?
There are some questions you can ask to help you choose a qualified doctor to perform your ESG procedure, including:
- Not counting routine endoscopic procedures, but specific to ESG, how many procedures have you done personally?
- You can ask to see their before and after pictures of ESG patients to give you an idea of their rate of success.
- What can I expect after my procedure? Will you be available to answer questions or oversee my continued care as I navigate my weight loss journey? (A doctor who has worked extensively with ESG patients will understand and be prepared to provide them with the support they need to be successful.)
- Can I set up a tour of where I will be getting my procedure done? (ESG experts will have no issue showing you their setup, answering your questions, and explaining their process.)
Where Can I Find The Right ESG Doctor For Me?
The doctors at Reveal Weight Loss have been helping patients lose weight and regain their health for over a decade. They have extensive experience in endoscopic weight loss and performing ESG.
Dr. Shahid
Dr. Haroon Shahid is a board-certified gastroenterologist with specialized training in advanced endoscopic procedures, including non-surgical weight loss procedures like ESG. He completed a competitive advanced endoscopy fellowship, where he gained hands-on experience and mastered the skills needed to safely and effectively perform endoscopic bariatric procedures. Dr. Shahid has also contributed to multiple research projects in the field and is committed to staying current with the latest tools and techniques so he can perform ESG with the highest level of safety and success.
Dr. Sarkar
Dr. Avik Sarkar is a highly qualified ESG doctor who specializes in endoscopic weight loss. He is double board-certified in gastroenterology and has advanced fellowship training in therapeutic endoscopy, where he developed a special interest in treating patients with obesity through non-surgical procedures.
His education and training took place at top medical institutions, including Rutgers, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and he has made numerous presentations at major GI conferences and published multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Sarkar has performed more than 800 ESG procedures, which gives him a level of hands-on experience that few can match.
Choose Reveal Weight Loss For Your ESG Procedure
ESG is a complex endoscopic procedure and requires advanced endoscopy skills and should only be performed by a gastroenterologist who has mastered the highly technical skill set to successfully complete the procedure.
The specialists at Reveal Weight Loss have significant experience in endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedures and are dedicated to helping their patients safely lose a significant amount of weight. They and their expert team of professionals provide a high level of comprehensive support before, during, and after your ESG procedure to set you up for success.
Do not risk choosing a doctor who recently added endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty to their service list. Partner with Reveal Weight Loss Center and the experts who have been doing ESG for years and who have the experience and expertise to enhance your health and make a positive difference in your weight loss journey.
Schedule a consultation today with one of our advanced endoscopists to learn more about why we are the leading ESG provider in New Jersey. We look forward to helping you reach your weight loss goals.
