Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: Is it the right option for me?

debnray @debnray
When I started looking at surgery for weight loss, the first clinic I went to they were suggesting the sleeve. Then due to an insurance change, I had to go to another clinic and they recommended the bypass. I ended up having bypass. I needed to lose about 100 lbs.

The bypass will result in faster weight loss, but you do have higher risk of side effects and complications. I did not have any problem with dumping syndrome, but have problem maintain my iron level and occasionally have to have iron infusions. I have been very successful at keep majority of weight off.

Each person needs to discuss their individual situation with their care team. Some of the factors going into this decision is the amount of weight you have to loss, other health issues, can you stick to a stricter diet after the surgery?

Do you have specific concerns about which surgery to have?

Thank you for your response. My doctor had thought the sleeve would be a good choice for me. In researching I found the endoscopic sleeve. Wondering if that is as effective as the normal gastric sleeve. I want to lose about 100lbs.

debnray @debnray

A member of my family had the endoscopic sleeve, it is less invasive, fewer complications, but generally weight loss is slower due to less of stomach being sutured (or removed). Results will be based on the individual and if follow diet.

If you do google searches, there are some very technical pages comparing them in GI publications.

The best website I found that explains it terms I understood is from a Bariatric Clinic in Mexico:
https://mexicobariatriccenter.com/vsg-vs-esg-traditional-gastric-sleeve-vs-endoscopic-sleeve/

There is more data on long term success on the gastric sleeve then on endoscopic sleeve, which is a newer procedure.

Check with you surgeon ask which one would be best for you. He may only do one type, not all surgeons are trained on both.

Thank you. I will check that link out.

Sleeve is only as effective as you let it be. If you watch what you eat you will loose weight. If not stomach stretches I had the RNY
8 yrs out and still 140 down
RNY works by malabsorption

That was the other option I was offered. With that on you have to take a bunch of vitamins for the rest of your life. I hate taking pills that’s kinda why I was shying away from the RNY.

Basically it’s a multi vitamin
You have to check blood at least once a year
Some of my friends have had zero complications
My complications were from failure to remove gastric lap band soon enough and it was cutting into esophagus
HOWEVER after being fat my entire life, the taste of being 177 is amazing

I would love to get down to a similar weight. How much did you lose? Did you get a lot of extra skin after? That’s another thing I’m scared of. My insurance won’t pay to get rid of that.

I started at 320. Now 177. Lots of extra skin
When I originally got the adjustable gastric lap and in 2008 I never gave it a thought about excess skin
Until I lost the weight and was getting skin lesions between rolls. It was all worth it
You can expect to loose most of the weight within the first year