ESG vs Gastric Sleeve
The difference between the sleeves
The surgical sleeve is a long established and proven weight loss procedure. It is safe and effective and most patients can expect to lose about 70% of their excess weight over a 2 year period, with most of that weight loss maintained for the long term.
It’s a powerful procedure and there are some risks associated with it that do not apply to the ESG. When considering the two procedures people need to balance the the ESG, with its lower risk profile, faster recovery but slightly lower weight loss with a procedure that compensates a little more risk with better weight loss. The chart below helps you make a comparison between the two.
Often a better alternative when considering ESG is the gastric band. The gastric band requires surgery but it there is no cutting of the stomach. You can read more about the gastric band here. It has a lower cost and a little less powerful than the ESG. It also requires more maintenance (due to band fills), but for those wanting safety first and a quick recovery it’s a great option too.
| ESG | Surgical sleeve | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure type | Endoscopic (instruments placed through mouth) | Laparoscopic (instruments placed through incisions in abdomen) |
| Visible scarring | None | Typically 5 abdominal scars |
| Remaining stomach function | Stomach left intact | 80%+ stomach removed |
| Expected recovery period | 2-3 days | About 2 weeks |
| Future options | Revision of ESG, surgical sleeve or gastric bypass | Revision to gastric bypass or revision of gastric sleeve |
| Expected weight loss | Approx. 50-60% excess weight at 2 years | 60-70% weight loss at 2 years * |
| Historical data | New procedure (see below) | More established procedure with long term results |
| Risk profile | Relatively lower risk | Relatively higher risk |
About the surgical sleeve
The surgical sleeve is a great procedure that is now established across the world as a primary procedure in the treatment of obesity. At Healthier Weight we do many sleeves every month and those patients enjoy excellent results. See Hali’s story here.
It tends to be the better procedure for people with a higher starting BMI (over 40) and certainly is for those who are already suffering with weight related health issues.