Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is now available in Malaysia, offering a non-surgical weight-loss solution for those seeking alternatives to bariatric surgery due to preference or medical restrictions.
WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
On 30 December 2024, just before the dawning of the new year, a multidisciplinary medical team performed successfully the first endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedure in Malaysia.
ENDOSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTROPLASTY (ESG) EXPLAINED
 FEATURED EXPERTDR LIM SHU YU Consultant General Surgeon Prince Court Medical Centre |
Dr Lim Shu Yu, who was part of the team that performed the first ESG procedure in Malaysia, tells us: “Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive weight-loss procedure that reduces the size of the stomach using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and suturing device.”
What makes this different from traditional bariatric surgery, Dr Lim explains, is that ESG involves:
- No incisions on the skin
- No cuts
- No stapling
Instead, Dr Lim explains that one’s stomach is stitched from the inside, to create a smaller, tube-like shape that helps limit food intake and promotes weight loss.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU UNDERGO ESG
#1 Getting Ready
- You’ll be given anaesthesia so that you’re completely asleep and don’t feel anything during the procedure.
#2 Inserting the Camera Tube
- A thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera, called the endoscope, is gently guided down your throat into your stomach.
#3 Stitching the Stomach
- With special tools attached to the endoscope, the doctor places stitches inside your stomach.
- These stitches fold and tighten the stomach, making it smaller and tube-shaped, like a sleeve.
- Because everything is done through your mouth, there are no incisions or cuts made on the skin of your body.
#4: Checking that Everything is in Order
- The doctor will then ensure that the stitches in the stomach are secure and that the stomach has been reshaped properly.
#5 Recovery
- Because there are no cuts or wounds made, recovery is much quicker than traditional surgery.
- Providing that everything goes well, most people can go home after a short hospital stay.
HOW DOES ESG COMPARE TO CONVENTIONAL BARIATRIC SURGERY?
Dr Lim reveals that the key advantages of ESG over conventional bariatric surgery include:
- ESG is a minimally invasive procedure, so there are no incisions or scars.
- Faster recovery. Most patients can go home the next day and resume normal activities within a few days.
- Lower risk of complications.
- This procedure is potentially reversible.
“However, while ESG is an effective method for weight loss, it is not as powerful as traditional bariatric surgeries,” Dr Lim adds.
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS
According to Dr Lim, some of the potential risks and complications of ESG include:
- Nausea and vomiting in the first few days, which usually improve with time
- Temporary stomach discomfort or bloating
- Rarer complications include bleeding and stomach perforation
“Overall, ESG is a safe and effective procedure for the right candidates,” she says.
WHO IS SUITABLE TO UNDERGO ESG?
Dr Lim explains that ESG is best suited for patients with mild to moderate obesity that require a less invasive, non-surgical weight-loss option with a shorter recovery time.
| ESG is not recommended for people with conditions such as large hiatal hernias and ulcers and/or have a history of previous stomach surgeries. |
ESG IS ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS OPTION TO CONSIDER
Dr Lim Shu Yu reminds us that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to losing weight.
She adds that ESG is one more option among the many diverse treatments currently available for consideration.
“It offers people struggling to lose weight with a less invasive way to achieve their health goals without surgery, giving them more control over their weight and health,” she elaborates.
| This article is part of our series on research-based weight loss methods and medical options. |
