Beyond Traditional Weight Loss: Endoscopic Bariatric Procedures

Imagine a path to weight loss that doesn’t involve invasive surgeries or long recovery times. That’s the promise of weight management options like Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), the ORBERA Gastric Balloon, and Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery. These procedures are designed for those who are determined to regain control over their health. At Nebraska Weight and Wellness, we’re committed to offering less invasive procedures, so you can return to your life faster.

ESG: What it is and How it Could Benefit You

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a non-surgical procedure that helps people lose weight by reducing their stomach size by 70-80 percent. Our patients often drop up to 20% of their total body weight with ESG, as a smaller stomach means you can eat less and feel full sooner, resulting in rapid and sustainable weight loss. The procedure is performed using a suturing device inserted through the mouth, eliminating the need for any external incisions.

How Does it Work?

ESG is done under sedation and usually takes less than 60 minutes. During the procedure, Dr. J Reggie Thomas creates folds in the stomach, forming a sleeve to keep the stomach smaller over time. The procedure not only limits how much you can eat but may also slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach, helping you feel full longer. Most patients have minimal downtime and can return to their regular activities within two to three days. The procedure has a low risk of complications and is reversible, meaning you still have future treatment options if needed.

Who is it For?

• Individuals who struggle to lose weight with diet and exercise – and are:
  • Committed to making lifestyle adjustments for sustainable results.
  • Do not qualify for gastric bypass surgery for medical reasons.
  • Looking for a less invasive alternative to bariatric surgery.
  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

Along with helping you lose weight, ESG provides a variety of health benefits. Often, our patients have lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, better blood sugar control, relief from sleep apnea, and increased mobility. If you’re considering ESG, Dr. Sherri Thomas is here to help guide you on your journey and discuss how it might fit into your weight loss plans.

Feel Full Faster, Live Lighter Longer with ORBERA

The ORBERA® gastric balloon provides a non-surgical approach for those looking to lose weight and keep it off over the long term.

How Does It Work?

• During the procedure, a small silicone balloon is inserted into your stomach while you are given mild sedation.
• After the balloon is positioned, it’s filled with saline solution, causing it to expand and take up space in your stomach. The balloon promotes the feeling of fullness more quickly and encourages smaller portion sizes.
• The ORBERA balloon is meant to stay in your stomach for around six months.
• Designed with a smooth surface and no extra components, the balloon minimizes stomach irritation.

Who is it for?

For adults over 21 who are moderately overweight and have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise, the ORBERA gastric balloon offers a non-surgical solution to help overcome these challenges.

Roux-en-Y and Gastric Sleeve Revision

Roux-En-Y gastric bypass has been the most common weight-loss surgery for over 30 years followed by Sleeve Gastrectomy. This procedure effectively helps people lose weight while managing side effects. However, given that Obesity is a chronic disease prone to relapse, patients can experience weight regain over time and lose the feeling of restriction they once had after their initial surgery. OverStitch is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that can give patients back that feeling of restriction, resulting in loss of the regained weight.

How Does It Work?

• Dr. J. Reggie Thomas endoscopically inserts sutures into the expanded stomach pouch and creates folds to reduce the size by up to 70-80 percent.
• By reducing the amount of food you can consume, revision of your Roux-en-Y or Gastric Sleeve can help you achieve weight loss in spite of previous regain.
• Patients can go home the same day and return to their normal activities within a few days.

Who is it For?

• Patients who have experienced significant weight regain and loss of restriction after previously successful surgical Roux-en-Y or Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Endoscopic bariatric procedures offer effective, less invasive options for weight loss, catering to diverse needs and lifestyles. From Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty to the ORBERA gastric balloon or revision of surgical Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-y,, these methods provide rapid results with minimal recovery time.

At Nebraska Weight and Wellness, we’re committed to guiding you on your journey to better health. Embrace a new approach to weight management and take the first step toward a healthier you by contacting us today.

Sherri Thomas

Nebraska Weight & Wellness, DO

Sherri Thomas, D.O., completed her medical degree at A.T. Still University in 2007 and went on to complete an Internal Medicine Residency at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been practicing medicine ever since and has been a proud Lincoln resident since 2013. Dr. Thomas was fueled by her patient’s struggles with weight loss, as well as her own, to pursue additional training in the evaluation and treatment of weight as a chronic disease. In 2016, she became a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and began practicing Obesity Medicine exclusively. Dr. Thomas finds great professional satisfaction in helping patients adopt healthier, more active lifestyles so they can reverse their weight-related health consequences.

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