The RUSH Approach to Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

Many people with obesity have trouble losing weight through diet and exercise alone. In addition, many people develop weight-related medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty liver disease, fertility issues, severe arthritis and sleep apnea. If you are struggling with weight loss or these weight related conditions, a minimally-invasive bariatric therapy may enable you to lose weight, keep it off and gain self-confidence. 

RUSH endobariatric services works with those who have a BMI between 30 and 50 who do not qualify or may not be interested in bariatric surgery. Our endobariatrics team does not perform surgery. We make no cuts during our procedures, and the majority of patients go home the same day. Some of our procedures are reversible, without permanent changes made to your internal anatomy.  One of our most common endobariatric procedures is an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, or ESG.

During an ESG, a doctor inserts a long, flexible tube called an endoscope through the mouth. The doctor then uses an endoscopic device to make stitches that reduce your stomach size by up to 80 percent. Your endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty doctor can complete an ESG in about an hour. You are sedated during the procedure, and 90% of patients go home the same day. 

With the endoscopic stitches in place, your stomach cannot expand as much and your capacity for food intake will be smaller — resulting in fewer calories and weight loss. Research also suggests ESG also slows down digestion, allowing you to feel full longer. Most patients can return to work after 3 to 5 days. 

Our entire endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty team is here to set you up for success in your weight loss efforts. We have a multi-disciplinary team, including physicians, dieticians and behavioral psychologists, that can address your needs during recovery.

RUSH Excellence in Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

• Fellowship-trained for optimal weight loss care: Just as it takes special training to perform surgery, it takes specialized training to work an endoscope and the device used to make internal stitches without an external cut. With dual board certifications in gastroenterology and obesity medicine, Christopher Chapman, MD, a gastroenterologist at RUSH, is here to jumpstart your weight loss journey. He is one of the only fellowship-trained endoscopists in the Chicagoland area offering endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. Since starting to perform ESG procedures in 2017, he has performed the most endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedures in the city of Chicago and serves as a teacher for the procedure across the country. He also was the principal investigator for multiple clinical trials for endoscopic weight loss procedures and strives to use data to optimize outcomes for his patients.
• Support from a system you trust: RUSH is ranked as one of the nation’s best hospitals for gastroenterology. From nurses to pharmacists, our team is well-equipped to work with patients who need an endoscopic procedure. If you need other care as part of your weight loss experience, RUSH has a broad range of well-trained specialists at your fingertips. Our collaborative approach means you can get quick access to any other medical care you need — before, during and after your procedure.
• Close to home: If you are considering an endoscopic bariatric procedure, you don’t have to travel to get world-class care. We offer virtual visits and consultations (both for those in the region and those farther away). RUSH is one of the only systems with robust experience doing endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty in Chicago. With facilities throughout the Chicago region, you may not have to leave your hometown to have an ESG. However, if you are interested in ESG and need to travel for the procedure, Chicago is easily accessible through many transit options. RUSH University Medical Center’s campus is in the heart of Chicago. Our team is ready to accommodate any patients who might be interested.