Our weight loss specialists are dedicated to helping people lose weight so they can enjoy better health. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a safe, effective, nonsurgical procedure that can result in almost as much weight loss as bariatric surgery.
Washington University physicians at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital offer endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty as part of a 12-month, comprehensive and medically supervised weight loss program.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty for Weight Loss: How It Works
An endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty reduces the size of the stomach without surgery. The physician uses an endoscopic device (thin, flexible tube) with a tiny lighted camera to create a smaller, tube-shaped stomach. This nonsurgical, reversible procedure limits both the amount of food a person can eat and the calories that can be absorbed.
You receive all care and visits at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital except for the procedure itself, which our physicians offer at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: The Procedure
The outpatient procedure for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty involves just a few steps:
- Endoscopy: While you are under general anesthesia, the physician inserts an endoscope with an attached suturing device through your mouth into the stomach.
- Suture placement: The physician places about 12 sutures in your stomach. The sutures reduce your stomach by about 80 percent to create a tube-shaped pouch.
- Optional removal: Most people do not need to have an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty reversed. If necessary, the sutures can be removed in an outpatient, endoscopic procedure.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: What You Can Expect
Although each person is different and may experience different results, most people can expect:
- Significant weight loss results: People who had an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty lost about 15 to 20 percent of their total body weight.
- Short recovery: Most people can go back to work or similar activities within three to five days after their procedure. You may experience some abdominal discomfort and nausea for a day or two, which we can help you manage with medication.
- Follow-up visits: We provide ongoing care typically at one, four, eight, 12, 26 and 52 weeks (or when needed), then annually after the first year.
- Program support: Three monthly behavior coaching sessions per month, via a secure, HIPAA-compliant, online interactive program, within 12 months after the procedure. You also have one appointment with a registered dietitian for nutrition support for weight loss. You may want additional nutrition guidance visits, available for an additional fee.
Lifestyle changes for healthy weight maintenance
Our diet guidelines for the first several weeks after the procedure help your body adjust to the changed anatomy of your digestive system. Post-procedure diet recommendations include:
- Clear liquids for the first day
- Full liquids for two weeks
- Pureed foods for weeks three and four
- Soft foods for weeks five and six
- Regular foods, per your dietitian’s calorie prescription, as you feel comfortable
To maintain a healthy weight for a lifetime, it’s important that you commit to some lifestyle changes. We suggest:
- Eating healthy foods in smaller portion sizes
- Getting regular physical exercise
- Participating actively in the intensive lifestyle guidance program, which includes guidance with a behavior coach
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: Financing
We don’t know of any insurance companies who cover the cost of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. We work with you and your insurer to determine what your plan will cover and what your out-of-pocket costs will be.
All costs must be paid before your procedure is scheduled. We offer prepaid packages that you can pay for out of pocket, with your tax-free health savings account (HSA) or with a third-party financing service. The package includes:
- Physician’s services for the procedure and care up to 90 days after the procedure
- Anesthesiologist’s services for general anesthesia during the procedure
- One visit with a registered dietitian
- Three monthly behavior coaching sessions per month, via a secure, HIPAA-compliant, online interactive program, within 12 months after the procedure.
- Routine care at office visits for 90 days
- Care for any procedure-related complications that may develop
Visits after the 90-day period after the procedure will be billed to the patient’s insurance. Please note that certain services may not be included in the package and that the prepaid package details are subject to change. Our program coordinator will discuss all of these options with you at the information session.
Other Procedures for Weight Loss
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital offer a full range of options for weight loss, including nonsurgical endoscopic and surgical procedures. Our options include:
Surgical Weight Loss Procedures: If you are interested in having a surgical weight loss procedure, you must first attend Bariatric surgery information session. A Washington University physician will discuss our procedures and explain eligibility.
Contact Us for Weight Loss Treatment
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a bariatric endoscopy physician, please call toll-free at 844-542-9378.
Referring physicians can call the BJC Transfer Center at 800.252.DOCS (3627) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit our referring physicians page.
OFFICE LOCATION AT BARNES-JEWISH WEST COUNTY HOSPITAL
Washington University Bariatric Endoscopic Therapy
Medical Office Building 4
1044 N. Mason Road, Suite 330
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
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OFFICE LOCATION AT BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL
Washington University Bariatric Endoscopic Therapy
Center for Advanced Medicine
4921 Parkview Place, Suite 10B
St. Louis, MO 63110
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