ENDO-SLEEVE

Endo-sleeve, is an endoscopic incision-less weight loss procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and helps to diminish hunger cravings. This particular advantage of this procedure is that it is a non-surgical weight loss procedure. 

 It is performed entirely endoscopically (through the mouth) and does not require any external cuts into the body. This speeds up healing time, minimises surgical pain and discomfort and leaves no visible scars. It is generally an outpatient procedure (about 1 hour), with most patients making a quick return to normal activities (only a few days to a week, depending on the individual). 

 The ideal patient for this procedure is anyone who has not been successful in losing weight with a diet and exercise and who do not qualify or do not want to undergo a more extensive type of bariatric surgery. The procedure is primarily designed for patients who want to lose between 15 and 30 kilograms, and have a BMI of 30 to 40. 

How Does It Work? 

The Endo-sleeve procedure is a type of weight loss surgery that restricts eating and reduces hunger by reducing the size and capacity of the stomach by folding and anchoring the stomach tissue. Special instruments are used to create folds in the stomach wall, reducing the overall capacity of the stomach and so the amount of food that can be eaten. It means that patients can expect to feel fuller for longer on smaller portions. This will help your body recognise when you have had enough food, even after a small meal. The procedure does not require incisions to reduce the size of the stomach and it is considered much safer than other surgical bariatric options and is pain-free. The Endosleeve does not require any cutting, however the amount of weight loss is not the same have been achieved with gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgical procedures although they are more invasive.

What happens during the procedure?

To perform the operation, surgeons use a special set of endoscopic surgery tools (POSE2®, Overstitch®, Endomina®) and a flexible endoscope that is used to visualise the stomach. Patients are put under anaesthesia for the procedure. Then, a long, flexible tube that is created specifically for incision-less procedures is inserted through the mouth and into the stomach. The tools are manoeuvred into the stomach through the tube.

Once in the stomach, the specialised tools grab hold of stomach tissue, create folds with the tissue, and deploy specially designed suture anchors that fasten the folds together. Through the creation of the tissue folds, it shrinks the size of the stomach pouch and the connection to the small intestine.

Benefits of Endo-sleeve

• No external cuts or incisions, leaves no visible scars

• Non-invasive procedure, Surgery is performed endoscopically

• Quick procedure (1 hour), usually performed on an outpatient basis 

• Quick recovery time, resume normal activities within 2-3 days 

• Overall risks much lower than with open or laparoscopic surgery 

• May be reversible if necessary 

• Indicated in obese or overweight patients who are not candidates for bariatric surgery

• Rapid, dramatic weight loss results

• Reduces satiety parameters in the short and long term.

• Some hormonal changes, such as a postprandial decrease in ghrelin, are observed after this procedure.