Are you tired of being overweight and struggling to lose those excess pounds? Maybe you've tried every diet out there, and nothing works. Excess weight can certainly increase your risk of chronic medical problems, so losing the weight is important.
When you’re ready to consider surgical intervention to shed the extra weight, the team at Snow Bariatric Center is ready to help. Dr. Robert Snow is our esteemed surgeon who helps you figure out if weight loss surgery is for you, and if so, which surgical option is the best fit.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a way to lose weight, without the traditional surgical approach that other weight loss procedures require. This procedure reduces the size of your stomach without the need for an incision.
The procedure is performed by Dr. Snow inserting a pliable tube into your stomach. This tube is called an endoscope, and it has a camera at the end so Dr. Snow can see what he’s doing without the need for a large incision. The endoscope also has a stitching device attached to it, allowing Dr. Snow to change the shape and size of your stomach.
You’ll be asleep for this procedure, even though it’s not considered a surgical intervention. Once the procedure is finished, your stomach structure will be much different, and you’ll feel more full, even with less food intake.
The procedure leads to significant weight loss by decreasing the size of your stomach. However, you also need to follow a weight loss program to increase your chances of success. This procedure can also decrease your risk for developing weight-related health problems, like heart disease and diabetes.
Obviously, the biggest benefit of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is the weight loss that you’ll experience. Another added benefit is that it isn’t actually surgery — meaning a quicker recovery time, with the same results as more invasive bariatric surgery.
Because it isn’t a surgical procedure, there are other added advantages, including:
This procedure is also much less expensive than the traditional gastric sleeve surgery, making it a more viable option if you’re on a tight budget. Another benefit is that your natural digestive process isn’t changed. This leads to fewer risks and side effects compared to other procedures.
So far everything sounds good, right? But don’t celebrate just yet — how do you know if endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is right for you?
At your initial appointment, Dr. Snow talks to you about different types of weight loss surgery. If you’re severely overweight, but you aren’t a candidate for other types of bariatric surgery, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty might be right for you.
However, if you’ve had weight loss surgery in the past, you won’t be able to undergo this procedure. Another reason you wouldn’t be able to have the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty done is if you have a hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer disease, as these can cause bleeding in the stomach.
So what makes you a good candidate? Dr. Snow may recommend this procedure if your body mass index is greater than 35, and you’re at risk for serious weight-related health problems. This procedure could also be for you if you’ve tried to lose weight with diet and exercise and have little to no results.
If you want to lose weight and are considering endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, schedule a consultation with Dr. Snow today by calling one of our convenient offices in Texas, or request an appointment online.
