Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a non-surgical weight loss procedure. It uses an endoscope to shrink stomach volume by about 70%. Surgeons pass a suturing device through the mouth to stitch the stomach into a smaller tube. There are no external cuts, and no organs are removed—unlike traditional bariatric surgery.
- Procedural technique: Doctors use endoscopic suturing systems to fold the stomach into a tube.
- Recovery time: Most patients return to normal activities within 2 to 3 days.
- Incisionless approach: The procedure leaves no external scars as it uses the natural digestive tract.
- Patient profile: Ideal for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
Bookimed Expert Insight: ESG is often marketed as reversible. However, data shows that over time, tissue healing can make suture removal technically complex. In Istanbul, high-volume centers like Memorial Atasehir Hospital or Valued Med Hub suggest choosing this procedure for its weight loss potential—about 15% to 20% of total body weight. They emphasize the weight loss, not the reversibility. Average local costs are _op_1070_city_107$9,300. In the US, it costs about $11,000. So patients save about 15%. They can put that extra budget toward essential long-term nutritional coaching and supplements.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the honest discussions about candidacy and the ease of recovery. They recommend buying specific protein supplements in advance to avoid high clinic prices.