Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Forum

Hi, I am wondering if anyone has had any luck getting the ESG procedure covered by insurance? Even better if you have experience with CareFirst BlueChoice. I have called them to ask about coverage and no one has an answer since it is not considered surgery. I also have not been able to find out what codes may be used for billing, as they said they could look into it that way. Thanks!

Compared to all the other forums, this one seems kinda dead? I know it’s a newer procedure, but are there really that few people? Getting the procedure done at the end of this month and would love any tips, lessons learned, etc! Even just success stories would be great!

I’ve scheduled the ESG procedure in January 2024 and am very excited and nervous! Wondering if anyone else has this procedure scheduled soon as well to connect with on progress?

Hello! I had the endoscopic gastroplasty in December. I lost about 15 pounds within the first week and nothing since. I have in fact gained 3 pounds back. At my follow up the physician said some patients don't lose weight at all. I paid out of pocket for this surgery. Insurance wouldn't cover it b/c it was deemed 'elective'. I'm pretty upset about hearing some people don't lose weight. I wasn't told anything like this beforehand and although I didn't want to go through surgery, it may have swayed me to go that route. Any thoughts out there? Am I the only one not losing? He now wants to put me on Mounjaro. While I don't mind this, I do mind that I'm out $12K.

I’m torn between getting the ESG over the bypass. How did you decide which one to do?

Hi everyone I’m new here ? I have decided to go ahead with the esg despite being scared of the procedure I’m desperate to reduce my weight mainly for health. I have such a love hate relationship with food, I like eating healthily and am an reduce my weight but then have periods of time where I just eat everything in sight and these periods last weeks or months and I gain it all again. I've completed hypnotherapy and done so much work on why I do this. I do think if I can reduce my weight and exercise again this will help, my biggest fear is that I spend this money which is such a huge amount for me, then I feel I can eat through the full feeling, is that po…

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I’m in the uk and have my consultation for the ESG next week. I wondered if there was anyone else in the UK who has had this? I’m deciding between dr Kelly at spire and dr bansi at the Cromwell. Just want to say hello

I am one week postop from doing the Endo scopic sleeve gastric and I’m doing my liquid diet but I don’t seem to get full with water. Should I be worried that my stitches on my stomach might of got loose or will it change once i get to eating solid protein

'm so excited (nervous, anxious and scared too) that my ESG is in 15 days!! ? I have put having WLS for soOOOo long, it's very surreal that it is so close. I have been stockpiling protein shakes, powders, soups and have all my supplements and medications in order. I feel as though I am ready for this but am still unsure how I will be able to abide by the strict protein intake for the 45 days as it (and I"m sure all protocols require everyone) me to drink 8oz of protein every other hour from 8am to 9pm and water on the off hour. I work in an office setting that doesn't allow me to have food liquids at my desk (secure location) and have to excuse myself to the break room…

I would like to hear from anybody that has had an endoscopic gastric sleeve preformed abroad. I live in the UK but am interested in having surgery abroad.

Hello All, A brief on my endoscopy sleeve gastroplasty journey. I had my ESG in REGO PARK by Dr.Batash. Dr. Batash is very charming and a great provider. When I first met him for my consult I was concerned about ulcer erosions I've had from previous stomach ulcers, as well as IBS and GERD. He was very informative and open to many questions. The ESG procedure is not covered by insurance, but Dr.Batash is not selling it to you. Which I truly appreciated. My procedure was 2 weeks ago. My biggest struggle is the after-procedure diet. Week 1 - Liquids, Week 2 Purees. I am a picky picky girl.. week 1 was ok, being that I was healing and my appetite was off a bit. …

Hello everyone! I would like to know if you are happy with your results and if possible where did you do the procedure and how much did it cost? Super exited! But I would love to have some references thank you!

I would like to hear from anyone that had ESG with a BMI over 40. Has ESG been successful for you? Pros and cons? Regrets?

It’s been 3 weeks since my ESG procedure. I was concerned about the 4th of July but I got Covid. So, I’ve been isolated upstairs ?. But all is good. Felt bad for about 2 days, now getting better Everything is going well my procedure. No issues getting water, tea or coffee in. I’m typically over 120oz a day. Protein is primarily from supplements iso pure and Core / Fairlife. I’m sure missing the standard Fairlife Protein shakes. The 30gr of protein per bottle. I can’t find any at Sam’s or Costco. I’m now ordering on Amazon at nearly twice the cost. Although a lot cheaper compared to eating out lol. Anyone else having a difficult time finding it? Le…

I'm going to have an ESG on Wednesday, 3/15. I'm taking off three days but hope to be able to work from home the following week and then go on a business trip, two weeks after the surgery. Am I being unrealistic about my expectations to return to work and travel?

It’s been 14 days. No issues getting water or protein. I’m actually not as hungry as the first few days but when I smell food I was certainly like a bite Only 1 issue with nausea. I had some green tea with no sugar from Starbucks. I drank about half, and that came up. TMI Weight loss has been great but I’m sure still primarily water but still 18 lbs I have started heavy weights and that went well but tired quick. I’ll stick with one muscle group per day. Good luck everyone.

I am scheduled for ESG next week. i was excited until now. i am so nervous. not so much of the procedure, but the aftermath. i am 56 yo male. need to loose 40 lbs is it so painful after the procedure? i hope they give pain meds. although i don't like taking them i read that many have hard time drinking water or shakes. when do you get so eat soft foods? i keep wondering if i should do it the old fashioned way and not be a quitter to take this route. do you ever eat more than a few bites ever again?

I'm scheduled to have my ESG next month and I reached out to my primary care physician to see about if my BP meds can be crushed for the first 8 weeks and she said they cannot be (they are extended release) and she is not willing to change my meds since I have been on these since I have been 16 years old. I'm not sure what to do... I'm sure there have been others who have had surgery with this issue??

Hello, Is there anyone who was on tamoxifen before VSG? If so, when were you advised to pause taking it, and when did you resume? Sent from my SM-G781U using BariatricPal mobile app

On a 3 week pre op diet for surgery on 2/23/27 Ant tips and tricks are welcome! Michelle

I've noticed wrong information (excess vs total body weight) being stated regarding ESG weight loss. The following is from the doctor who performed my ESG procedure. "On average, patients who proceed with ESG will have lost about 20% of total body weight one year after the procedure. Because of how ESG contributes to helping change overeating habits, many patients lose over 70% of their excess body weight over the long term." I achieved a 30% total body weight loss (lowest weight at 9 months post procedure). However, I'm maintaining a 25% total body weight loss at 2 years out.

I was originally sleeved 8/11/11. I lost 100 pounds. Starting weight was 232, made my goal 13 months later at 135. After 8 years of weighing at or near goal, I had a lot of family tragedies and I gained about 47 pounds back. My highest weight from regain was 182. It was a slow gain over about 4 years or so. I had an ESG done to make my stomach back to the original sleeve size on 9/8/22, 11 years later. Its been 4 months and two holidays. Today I weigh 143. I am a normal BMI (145). So in summary, I have lost about 39 pounds with the ESG. I have few more I want to lose but its going great so far. My goal is to lose 11 more and make it back to my original goal weight I…

Trying my best, hoping this app helps me stay better on track Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm having so much pain it's my second day I could only do water I regret it so much . Does it get any better ? Sent from my SM-A516U using BariatricPal mobile app

I just wanted to give an update on my experience with ESG after having a VSG 8 years ago. I lost 120 pounds on the VSG and regained 60 pounds. The surgeons I talked to were hesitant to do a surgical revision due to potential complications. I did an ESG revision 5 weeks ago. Since then I lost 10% of my body weight, which is over half of what I had regained. I was very pleaded with the ESG procedure itself, I had it done on a Wednesday and was back to work on Monday. I had lost 4 weeks of work with the VSG. My program at the University of Michigan does a full 6 week liquid diet which I contribute to most of the success. I think the ESG success needs to be …

Back last March, I got ESG (endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty). I had 6 weeks of a liquids only diet. I painstakingly tracked calories after that according to what doctors said to do -- a 1200 calorie/day diet. Yeah, I'm a short woman, but it sucks. But I soldiered on! I put myself on my home scale week after week, watching the number bounce around but generally trend down. I was so happy. I started at 251 post-colonoscopy-cleanse (since they have to remove all of everything in your gut before doing the procedure), and finally, after a year, I got to 215. I was so glad! And then I stepped on an actually accurate scale at work today, apparently. 238. Are you f**king joki…

Has anyone experience sleeve leakage 6 months to a year after surgery?

Hello, Starting my ESG journey and wondering a few things. First, are there any ESG providers in Arizona? Second question is if you could choose any ESG doc in the United States, which one would you choose? Third question is from the start of your journey to the actual procedure, how many months did it take (I understand there might be differences between self-pay and insurance pay). Thanks in advance!

New to this Forum..Surgery date is September 6th and scared and excited at the same time. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Does anyone have days they bearly eat? I'm 3 months out and just don't feel hungry. Sent from my REVVLRY using BariatricPal mobile app

It has been 7 months since I had my ESG procedure in March. What a weird ride. I guess I'm just posting this to muse on the situation as a whole. Wall of text time! Six Weeks of Suck A six week liquid diet was awful. It went in 2 week chunks and degraded over time. The first two weeks, it was amusing. I got to tell people what was going on! The first entire week I was basically sleeping anyway and took sick days, so it was just me, in bed, playing Pokemon Sword. A weird sort of vacation, really, even if half of it was crippling nausea and whining to my husband. The next two weeks was boring and a bit annoying, but I at least got to sip chicken broth and relish t…

Hi all, Week 7 and still making progress albeit slow. I have no issues with any food which is certainly a pro and con. Pro- I can have basically anything. Major Con- I can have basically anything. If you stick with your diet, and eat protein first, you will fill up fast. My biggest struggle is my water intake. My goal is 128 oz but even hitting 60 - 80 has been difficult these last few weeks. Overall still extremely thrilled about the results and procedure. If anyone was on the fence about ESG, I recommend you do your research. Of course, it’s still a relatively new procedure but it has a lot of positives. 1) very quick recovery time, 2) extremely…

I’ve read all through the ESG forum that there are doctors in Mexico who will perform on 25 BMI. Wondering who those doctors are if anyone would like to share

Hi, had ESG 6/29 and although it went very smoothly and I feel great, I have been crabby about liquid diet. I have been HUNGRY. I tried to find research about the healing process and justification for the full liquid diet for 2 weeks after ESG, but can't find anything at all. It just seems as though we are following more or less the same protocol as post-bariatric surgery, although I think the trauma to the stomach and healing period should call for something significantly less drastic. Especially since I am doing so well. Nonetheless, I have stuck with it, with the exception of allowing myself some hummus. I've lost a modest 8 pounds, but who wouldn't with no food and ab…

Things are still going good. My diet is open to all foods. The biggest challenge this week was my water. I need to limit my water 30 minutes before and after I eat. Very challenging. It has impacted my overall water intake. My goal is 120oz per day. I have very few food limitations at this time but still limit my red meat intake. I’ve had a few once’s of steak but that’s about it. I’ve been eating a lot of seafood. Pre Surgery Weight = 336 Surgery weight = 330 Current Weight 304.2 The weight loss has certainly slowed up but I still haven’t been completely stalled. My goal this week is to increase my water intake. Good luck everyon…

Hi. First time poster 13 days out from ESG. The first week was super rough. I’m feeling pretty great now. I am down 12 pounds since the procedure. I’m consuming about 750 calories on average and I’m getting my 60-80 grams of protein. I have no idea how many calories I should be taking in. I am doing strenuous workouts three times a week (just started, I’m a week into it. Orange Theory for the win!). Would love some insights from the group!

Hi all, For me these posts help keep me in check on a few things. Everything is going well and my nutritionist has released me to more foods. On Monday I added baked and grilled fish, soft veggies, fruit etc. He still doesn’t want me to set my macros until next month but once me to get 100-120 gr of protein, and up my carbs a bit. So, I’ve added berries and banana. My weight loss has slowed down, but with adding foods and so much water loss I’m not surprised. Plus of course, you hear about the three week stall. With the added food, I certainly have more energy. Now, I need to add cardio. The weights have been going well and I’m getting stronger …

Hey everyone- im on day 4 post op. Everything went well, and had minor gas pains. No heart burn but my doctor has me on omeprazole twice a day for a month I’m also taking sucralfate 4 times per day. Anyone else taking this? If so, for how long? The next 17 days of full liquids will be difficult. Not getting them in. I have no problem drinking 64 oz plus some protein shakes. But I feel pretty hungry. My doctor said it may diminish, did anyone else experience this?

I am having issues with cramping nausea, and heart burn after sipping clear liquids. I am taking Pepcid twice a day and Zofran too. How do you manage these symptoms, so you can continue to drink? I'm dying here.... Thank you. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

All, I was attacked by another member for telling a poster what I think is the truth to try to give them some tough love and open their eyes to what is happening. When people post on here, it is not a stretch to assume that they have a real problem and are looking at real solutions. What good does it do to reassure people that they are just fine and they are doing the right thing just to make them feel good. They are on here because they have a problem they need help with. If they want to solve the problem, sometimes they are going to have to hear something that may not make them smile. Sometimes the truth hurts and in order to come to a solution, you have to look…

So, here I am 2 weeks out from ESG! Sometimes I feel like I'd slap my own mom to eat a piece of chicken. But I've held meticulously to the diet, and I've been doing what moving around I can. No weight loss. None. Zilch. I'm no smaller and no lighter. Everyone with their "I instantly lost 5 pounds" even, is like...depressing. What's going on? How am I breaking physics? I'm eating around 700-900 calories a day -- surely that HAS to do something? If weight loss is at the beginning, what's wrong with me? Yes, I'm getting my 64 oz of fluids. Yes, I'm adhering to the diet. No, I'm not snacking. Yes, I'm keeping meticulous track of every single thing I eat. W…

Has anyone experienced hair loss? I’m 4 months out from ESG down 50 pounds and my hair started falling out in the last 2 weeks and it’s so depressing. I luckily have thick hair already but I can’t even run my hand through my hair without ending up with a handful of hair. I got some zinc I read that was good for hair loss and I take a hair nails and skin supplement. I’m just so sad losing this much hair is concerning. Thoughts? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I’m wondering if anybody on here has any knowledge of Dr. Bustamante out of El Paso who also does Gastroplasty in Tijuana once a month. I’m here in San Diego. I have a Consultation with him tomorrow but I was wondering if anybody had any knowledge of him.

I am just starting my journey got my surgery date 4/21/22 have my first apt with nutritionist today. I am very excited fo this procedure but also very nervous. I am not kidding myself I know it's going to be a hard thing to do but I am determined.. Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi ! So I been doing so much research on the ESG procedure. I much prefer it to VSG . I found that Mexico Bariatric center will start performing this in March . I was able to get a date and I read up on the doctor who will be doing the procedure. While I am nervous I do like the idea of no scars and quicker recovery, I’m more nervous about having it done at at this facility. Please share any experience you’ve had at Mexico Bariatric center . Thank you

Good Evening, After several months of research on this and other forums, I just had the ESG procedure on Thursday morning at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I thought this might be a good opportunity to provide some information for others who may be considering this option - as these forums were invaluable to me when deciding how to proceed. To begin with, I am a 42 year old male with approximately 39 BMI. Like most of the rest of you, I have been back and forth on the scale for most of my life. I have no other medical issues and consider myself in generally good overall health, otherwise (good range of motion, no real restrictions in life). In the end, I deci…

I was excited to get it until my Mom said "What if you die?" Now I can't stop crying because I'm terrified of anesthesia. Does anyone have advice for dealing with thoughts like this. Words of encouragement? I have no support from my family on this journey. Sent from my SM-F711U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi.. I am wondering if anyone has experienced basically minimal weight loss with ESG? I had mine on Sept. 8th and have gone down only between 1-3 pounds this whole time. I’m very frustrated and sad. I feel like I should have had more than basically a pound of weight loss in 3 weeks. I feel like the only thing I have lost is money and hope. (Yes I’m following everything correctly.) I don’t understand how I’m one of the only people to not lose weight with a weight loss procedure like this.

2 weeks away. Any advice?

Has anyone tried carbonated drinks? If so, when after your surgery and how did it go? I used to drink diet sodas and sparkling waters before surgery. I’m almost 4 months out and down 50 pounds. I don’t want to slip but since both are zero calorie beverages I think it’d be fine if I could drink them comfortably and still get my water in.