Obesity is a health concern affecting millions worldwide, leading to serious medical problems and joint pain. Losing weight isn't always easy and may be extremely frustrating at times.
If you're significantly overweight and have tried various diets and exercises without success, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. However, if you're not, what are your options?
Dr. Robert Snow and the team at Snow Bariatric Center offer a nonsurgical technique known as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for patients in the Flower Mound and Fort Worth, Texas, communities.
Dr. Snow is a bariatric surgeon who carefully evaluates your health to determine if you're a good candidate for bariatric surgery or endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, or ESG, is a nonsurgical option for people looking to lose significant weight when other things haven't worked. Unlike other bariatric procedures, ESG allows you to lose weight with less risk.
ESG is similar to the gastric sleeve procedure, without incisions or surgery. The procedure works by decreasing the size of your stomach with sutures.
During the procedure, Dr. Snow inserts an endoscope down into your stomach through your throat. The endoscope is a thin tube with a camera on the tip, allowing Dr. Snow to see what he's doing.
Dr. Snow then attaches a device he can suture with to the endoscope. He uses the sutures to close off a portion of your stomach to about 30% of its original size.
The procedure allows you to feel full with less food and slow the emptying process with a longer, narrow stomach.
ESG is a great option for many people looking to lose significant weight — but it's not for everyone. Dr. Snow meets with you to discuss your weight loss goals and evaluates your health to determine what bariatric treatment suits your needs.
You may be a good candidate for ESG if Dr. Snow diagnoses you with obesity and you have a BMI over 30. Other bariatric procedures require a BMI of over 40 or 35 with significant health problems.
However, because ESG is a nonsurgical procedure, people with a lower BMI struggling to lose weight are good candidates.
ESG is a good option if you've tried to lose weight through diet, exercise, and other treatments without success. It's also a great choice if you're not quite ready to commit to bariatric surgery or don't qualify due to health issues or your BMI.
While ESG is a great option for many people looking to lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle, it's not an option for everyone with obesity. For example, you can't have the ESG procedure if you've already had bariatric surgery.
You also shouldn't have the procedure if you have a hiatal hernia, which could lead to complications. Living with any intestinal condition that leads to gastrointestinal bleeding removes you as a candidate for ESG.
If you're willing to commit to a healthy lifestyle after the procedure and regular follow-up appointments, there may be more suitable options than ESG.
Dr. Snow helps you decide which option is best for your needs. If you're not a candidate for ESG, he offers other surgical procedures, including the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and LAP-BAND®.
The Obalon® Balloon System is another nonsurgical procedure that helps you lose weight without the risks of surgery.
To schedule an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty consultation, call us at one of our conveniently located offices in Flower Mound and Fort Worth, Texas, or request an appointment on our website.
