Starting a weight loss journey is a huge step in transforming your health and your appearance. Before you get started, it is important that you have a good understanding of the process, the changes you will have to make to your lifestyle, and how they will affect your daily life.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has been around for over a decade but was recently approved by the FDA as a treatment for obesity. It has become very popular because it offers individuals a non-surgical option for medical intervention that reduces the size of their stomach similar to gastric sleeve surgery but is far less invasive and does not involve incisions. Additionally, recovering after laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, and after ESG, patients are back to their normal routine within a few days and do not have any activity restrictions or external wounds to care for.
ESG is much easier to prepare for and recover from, but it still requires a special ESG pre-op diet as well as an after ESG diet. You will have to follow specific rules for what you can eat before the procedure and after, to allow time for your stomach to adjust to processing solid food again. Today, we will talk about these necessary dietary changes and what you can expect during this adjustment period.
Preparing For Your Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Every doctor will have specific criteria they will provide to their patients about how to prepare for their ESG procedure. The exact details will be specific to each person and their individual circumstances. Patients who are undergoing bariatric surgery are required to follow a liver-shrinking diet before their surgery, but normally ESG patients do not need to go through this step.
Regardless of whether surgery is performed or non-surgical ESG is done, patients will have to follow a liquid diet before their procedure to ensure their safety and make sure their stomach is completely empty. The length of time this diet will need to be followed will depend on each patient’s individual circumstances but is typically around two days.
Pre-Op ESG Diet Example
The ESG pre-op diet (all-liquid) looks something like this:
- 1 protein shake;
- Beverages that are water-based and do not contain carbonation, caffeine, or calories. (sugar-free beverages, flavored water, water);
- Decaffeinated tea or coffee (8 oz per day);
- Sugar-free jello (8 oz a day);
- 1 to 2 sugar-free popsicles a day;
- 1 sugar-free liquid with extra electrolytes, like Propel or Powerade Zero each day.
Post-ESG Diet
After undergoing endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), it will take your stomach about a month to become totally accustomed to the changes that have been made. You will need to start with clear liquids and work your way back up to solid foods. Here is an outline of a typical post-ESG diet:
First Week – Day 1 to 7 Clear Liquids (Liquids You Can See Through)
- Fruit juices (100% grape juice, apple juice, or cranberry juice);
- Clear broths (beef, chicken, or vegetable);
- Sugar-free popsicles;
- Sugar-free gelatin (like Jell-O);
- Water (no carbonation) or ice chips;
- Sugar-free beverages like Crystal Light;
- Caffeine-free coffee or tea.
You need to avoid:
- Carbonated beverages;
- Sugar-filled beverages like sweet tea;
- Acidic juices like orange, grapefruit, pineapple, or tomato;
- Liquids that are thicker or cream-based.
Second Week – Day 8 to 14 (Blended Foods)
Any food that can be pureed into a perfectly smooth consistency is free from any chunks and is thin enough to be swallowed can be eaten during this week. Some of the foods you can use for purees include:
- Mashed potatoes;
- Cooked carrots;
- Applesauce;
- Avocado;
- Banana;
- Steamed spinach;
- Butternut squash;
- Cooked peas;
- Greek yogurt;
- Cottage cheese;
- Hummus;
- Oatmeal (cooked well);
- Cooked chicken or turkey (in broth);
- Cooked fish (in broth);
- Cream of wheat or rice cereal;
- Scrambled eggs;
- Cooked pasta (overcooked so it is easy to blend);
- Canned pumpkin puree;
- Smooth nut butter (almond, sunflower, or peanut butter);
- Silken Tofu.
Third And Fourth Weeks – Day 15 to 30 (Soft Foods)
The next few weeks will be a bit easier and more enjoyable because you will be focusing on foods that can be easily mashed with a fork. With a little bit of creativity, you will be able to turn a variety of ingredients into meals that are soft but taste delicious. It is important to remember to choose low-calorie, sugar-free options that are full of nutrition (especially protein). The goal is to come up with healthy meal options that promote weight loss but still taste good.
First Month – Solid Foods
After the first month, you should be introducing solid foods that still fit into your weight loss plan under the guidance of your doctor. ESG is a weight loss tool and will help you with some of the hard parts of losing weight, but it is not magic and cannot do all the work for you. Achieving sustainable weight loss results will require you to make permanent lifestyle changes that include avoiding unhealthy foods and beverages that are loaded with calories.
Is It Hard To Follow The ESG Diet?
Making permanent lifestyle changes is not going to be the easiest thing you have ever done, but it is going to be worth it! The toughest part of the ESG diet is the liquid portion because, to be honest, it is just plain boring. Just stick with it, and things will get easier and tastier after you get through this part. The ESG diet is so much easier than what gastric sleeve surgery patients have to go through; you will be eating a nice, seasoned piece of chicken breast while they are still sipping on a puree.
The results of your dedication will pay off with improvements in your health, and you will look and feel amazing.
Where Can I Learn More About ESG?
The good news is that the experts at Reveal Weight Loss in Livingston, NJ, perform the non-surgical ESG procedure and will guide your weight loss journey every step of the way. Dr. Sarkar and Dr. Shahid have years of experience performing ESG and have an extensive background in obesity medicine. They can help identify underlying issues that may have prevented you from losing weight in the past.
The team at Reveal Weight Loss will provide the support you need to help you get through any challenges you may face. They will help you with dietary choices and menu options after your ESG procedure and beyond. They will provide you with the tools you will need to reach your weight loss goals and sustain them. Contact us today and set up your consultation to learn more about ESG and how it can benefit you.
