Q & A

An ESG procedure normally takes between 45 and 90 minutes.

Most patients, on average, lose between 15 and 20% of their starting weight during their first year following their operation. However, how much weight you lose depends on whether you adhere to making healthy lifestyle modifications, including eating a healthy, high-protein diet and exercising regularly.

ESG gastric sleeve procedures are generally not covered by health insurance. However, some insurances will cover the procedure to help reverse obesity-related issues. Make sure to check your plan or call your insurance provider to learn whether your procedure may be covered.

Most patients can get back to easy daily activities within a few days post-procedure. Most people will take about four weeks to completely recover from an ESG.

During your first meeting with your weight-loss team, your doctor will take a medical history, including what you’ve done in the past to try to lose weight. They’ll perform a quick medical exam and may order some lab tests. Your doctor will also explain in detail how an ESG works and will ask you about your expectations for after the procedure. All this will help them determine whether you’re a good candidate for an ESG.

Yes, your bariatric team will provide you with full instructions on what you can and can't eat after your ESG. In most cases, you'll be asked to stick to a clear liquid diet for the first 24–72 hours, full liquids for the first two weeks and soft foods for a few weeks after that before transitioning to a normal diet that focuses on protein and a small amount of food for each meal.

Not adhering to these dietary restrictions can negatively impact how well your stomach heals after the procedure.

Yes. Immediately following surgery, you will be placed on a clear liquid diet for about seven days. From there, your bariatric surgeon will allow you to transition to thicker liquids, such as protein shakes, and then on to soft solid foods. Everyone is different, so your post-surgery diet may look different from others.

Then, for the long term, with your new stomach pouch only able to hold three to six ounces of food, your diet will need to be more focused on high-protein, nutrient-dense foods, and we suggest changing your eating pattern to six to eight smaller meals throughout the day.

Your AdventHealth bariatric surgery team is with you every step of the way, from your first surgery consultation to providing support throughout your lifelong post-surgery weight-loss journey. All patients are required to follow up with their surgeon within two to three weeks after hospital discharge, followed by visits at six weeks, three months, six months and one year. From there, depending on your situation, surgery patients are asked to come in for follow-up appointments every six months to every two years.

In addition to follow-up care with your surgeon, your AdventHealth bariatric surgery team includes a variety of specialists to help you on your journey, including registered dietitians, mental health professionals and exercise physiologists to help ensure you're eating right, getting enough exercise and are in the right mental space to be successful for the long term.