What you can expect

During the procedure

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is done in the endoscopy unit as an outpatient procedure. General anesthesia is used for the procedure, so you'll be unconscious.

The procedure is done using a flexible tube with a camera and an endoscopic suturing device attached (endoscope). The endoscope is inserted down your throat into the stomach. The tiny camera allows the doctor operating the endoscope (endoscopist) to see and operate inside your stomach without making incisions in your abdomen.

Using the endoscope, the doctor places sutures in the stomach. The sutures change the structure of your stomach, leaving it shaped like a tube. This restricts the amount of food you can eat because you feel fuller sooner.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty takes about 60 to 90 minutes.

After the procedure

After the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, you'll awaken in a recovery room, where medical staff monitors you for any complications.

After recovering from sedation, the majority of people go home the same day. Some people might require a short admission to the hospital for one day or less for observation after the procedure.

After the procedure, you generally won't be allowed to eat for a few hours. Then, you'll be allowed to start a liquid diet, which you need to continue for at least two weeks.

Eventually, you'll move on to semisolid foods, and then to a regular healthy diet.