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Empowering Patients: An Incisionless Procedure to Aid Weight Loss
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Stepping on the scale, holding your breath, hoping for a change—it’s a familiar ritual for millions of Americans grappling with obesity. The struggle goes beyond the bathroom scale, seeping into every aspect of daily life—from quality of life and health concerns to self-confidence issues. Ellen Frazier* of Charleston, South Carolina, knows firsthand the frustration of trying countless diets and exercise regimens, only to see discouraging results. Her weight loss journey, a roller coaster of small victories and setbacks, shifted course when she discovered endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), an innovative approach to weight loss.
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Determined to regain control of her health, Ellen tried everything she could think of. She explored various diets and experimented with supplements. She even tried prescription weight loss medications, known as GLP-1 injections, which for Ellen at the time, proved too expensive and difficult to obtain for her.
The turning point came when Ellen saw 260 pounds on the scale. She knew she needed a different approach. Initially, she considered gastric sleeve surgery. However, a preexisting condition of acid reflux and inflammation of the esophagus put her at risk for the procedure.
Frustrated but determined, Ellen continued searching for alternatives. Before long, she found information on the ESG procedure. Little did she know, the discovery would mark the beginning of a transformative chapter in her life.
The additional pounds didn’t just change Ellen’s appearance; they began to reshape her daily life. Ellen found herself struggling to enjoy activities she once loved, like kayaking with her husband or taking
long walks with her dogs.
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Ellen’s relationship with her weight began to shift after she turned 40. Like many others during the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself turning to food and alcohol for comfort. "I leaned into self-soothing behaviors,” Ellen recalls. “Overeating, eating for pleasure, drinking more than usual or to excess – habits that were not supportive to my health.”
As the months passed, Ellen’s weight continued to creep up. Between 2020 and 2022, she gained 40 pounds. The additional pounds didn’t just change Ellen’s appearance; they began to reshape her daily life. Ellen found herself struggling to enjoy activities she once loved, like kayaking with her husband or taking long walks with her dogs.
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Sponsored by Boston Scientific
Sponsored by Boston Scientific
The OverStitch Endoscopic Suturing System is used to perform endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, a procedure that is incisionless and leaves no scars. During the procedure, a flexible endoscope equipped with a camera and suturing device is guided down the throat and into the stomach. A specially trained physician uses the device system to sew the stomach from the inside into a smaller shape, reducing the stomach’s volume by 70% to 80%. The result? A smaller stomach that helps patients feel full with less food, naturally reducing caloric intake.
In a study, patients typically went home the same day as the procedure and returned to routine daily activities within a few days. The quick recovery time makes the procedure an attractive option for qualified patients who have not experienced success with diet or exercise alone and are hesitant to pursue more invasive treatment options.
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Important Safety Information continued below.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
After thorough research and consultation with her health care provider, Ellen decided to move forward with the ESG procedure. On the day of the procedure in November 2022, Ellen arrived at the clinic, nervous but excited. The medical team walked her through each step, helping to ease her nerves.
In the weeks following the procedure, Ellen was able to resume her regular schedule. She learned to adjust to a new way of eating, starting with a liquid diet and gradually introducing solid foods. She worked closely with a nutritionist to ensure she was eating the right mix of foods while her stomach healed. “I took my recovery very slowly and followed all of the directions to a T,” Ellen says.
As the weeks passed, Ellen noticed significant changes. Her portion sizes decreased, and she felt satisfied with less food. “Before I started my ESG journey, I felt defeated, like I had given up on myself,” she says. “Now, I am free from overusing food – it feels amazing.”
When I started my ESG journey, I felt defeated, like I had given up on myself ... Now, I am free from overusing food — it
feels amazing.
- Ellen Frazier, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty patient
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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Important Safety Information continued below.
Concomitant administration of sensitive CYP1A2 substrates or CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic range
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Real Patients
Trying Every Option
A Life-Changing Journey
A Life-Changing Journey
In the first year following her procedure, Ellen lost 85 pounds.* “Before my procedure, I was a once-a-week yoga person, and I would occasionally walk my dogs,” Ellen says. “Now, I am so grateful to have found hot yoga at a wonderful little studio near my home, and I’m back to taking long walks with my dogs.”
She credits her success to a combination of the ESG procedure, a balanced diet and regular exercise. “ESG is not a quick fix. It is a lifestyle change and requires a complete mindset shift,” Ellen shares. “Before having any type of procedure, take a deep look inward and find out what it is that makes you lean into food and overeating. While ESG can be an effective tool, you must also work on that mental component for long-term success. Pour the energy into loving and knowing yourself first, and then the rest will fall into place.”
Ellen’s Transformation
Behind Apollo ESG is Boston Scientific, a global leader in medical technology. For over four decades, Boston Scientific has pioneered less invasive medical solutions, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in patient care.
Recognizing the demand for effective weight loss solutions, Boston Scientific acquired the Apollo ESG technology in 2023. This strategic move aligns with their mission to transform lives through innovative medical solutions that improve patient health worldwide.
Boston Scientific’s commitment to advancing medical technology extends beyond weight loss, with a robust and diverse portfolio that includes devices in cardiology, urology, neurology and other fields, all aimed at enhancing patient care and outcomes.
Boston Scientific: Innovators in Medical Technology
The OverStitch Endoscopic Suturing System is designed for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 50 kg/m2 who haven’t achieved lasting results with lifestyle modification (diet and exercise) or medication. As with any medical procedure, potential risks and side effects should be discussed with a health care provider.
An ESG procedure is not a standalone solution. The procedure is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
A physician trained in the ESG procedure can help you weigh the benefits and considerations, ensuring you make an informed decision about your health. To learn more about the ESG procedure, including benefits and risks, and to find a doctor in your area, visit apolloendo.com/patients/apollo-esg/.
Is ESG Right for You? Key Factors to Consider
*This patient testimonial is sponsored by Boston Scientific. Individual results may vary. In a randomized study, patients with class 1 or class 2 obesity (BMI 30 to 40 kg/m2) who underwent ESG in conjunction with prescribed diet and exercise counseling achieved an average of 13.6% total body weight loss (TBWL) at year one, compared to 0.8% with lifestyle modification alone. In that study, 64.7% of patients who underwent ESG in conjunction with lifestyle changes lost at least 10% TBWL compared to 4.5% of patients with lifestyle modification alone. Approximately 21.2% of patients lost more than 20% of their body weight. Optimal results were achieved when patients committed to long term lifestyle changes around diet and exercise. All procedures have risk, including endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. Patients should consult with their doctor to discuss risks and benefits of any medical procedure.
CAUTION: The law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician.
Abu Dayyeh BK, Bazerbachi F, Vargas EJ, Sharaiha RZ, Thompson CC, Thaemert BC, Teixeira AF, Chapman CG, Kumbhari V, Ujiki MB, Ahrens J, Day C; MERIT Study Group; Galvao Neto M, Zundel N, Wilson EB. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for treatment of class 1 and 2 obesity (MERIT): a prospective, multicentre, randomised trial. Lancet. 2022 Aug 6;400(10350):441-451. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01280-6. Epub 2022 Jul 28. PMID: 35908555.
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Introducing the OverStitch™ Endoscopic Suturing System
Introducing the OverStitch™ Endoscopic Suturing System
A Life-Changing Journey