The gastroenterology, bariatric and metabolic endoscopy teams work together in a multi-disciplinary setting to provide every patient with comprehensive, personalized care for weight management. Together our mission is to help you achieve your weight toss goals through expert guidance and support with:  

• Personalized care, not one‑size‑fits‑all treatment
• Minimally invasive options with no incisions (no scars)
• Multidisciplinary specialists focused on your long‑term success
• Structured nutrition and lifestyle support
• Same-day non-surgical procedures (outpatient) with short recovery 

At Loyola Medicine, our endoscopic weight loss program is led by a multidisciplinary group of specialists who work together to support your success before, during and long after your procedure. This coordinated approach ensures your care plan is personalized, medically appropriate and focused on sustainable results.

Endoscopic weight loss procedures

Bariatric endoscopy is a minimally invasive weight loss procedure where a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube, that has a small camera, through your mouth and into your digestive tract. Medication is provided to make patients comfortable. Special devices or medications are placed directly into the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much you can eat, often providing better results than medication and are less invasive than surgery.

There are many endoscopic procedures that can be performed depending on the needs of the patient. Some of the more common include:

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)

During an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, a doctor uses stitches to reduce the volume of the stomach by 70%. General anesthesia is used to keep the patient asleep. This is also a reversible procedure, with the stitches able to be removed if needed.

Intragastric balloons

A gastric balloon is one of the most common weight loss procedures, where a silicone balloon is placed in the stomach to take up volume. The more space is used, the less room you have to eat. This helps you feel fuller for longer and delays gastric emptying, although it's not a permanent procedure. It’s left in place for roughly six months while the patient loses weight.

Endoscopic revisions after bariatric surgery

Endoscopic bariatric revisions are procedures designed to address weight regain after weight loss surgery. For example, over time the ability of a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy to restrict food intake may become dilated (stretched). Often, patients who have this problem will notice they can eat larger portion sizes than they could in the months or years following surgery. A revision procedure uses an endoscopic suturing device to re-tighten the dilated gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. 

Bariatric endoscopy eligibility and assessment

Patients qualify for an endoscopic bariatric procedure if they meet certain requirements, including:

• BMI: Typically a BMI of 30 to 50, though there are exceptions.
• Failed previous efforts: Patients who have not achieved or maintained weight loss.
• No desire for surgery: Patients looking for a non-surgical, incision-free option.
• Previous surgery revision: Patients who have regained weight after a previous bariatric surgery.
• Commitment: Must be willing to participate in a medically supervised program and make lifelong lifestyle changes

Recovery after endoscopic weight loss procedures

Recovery after an endoscopic weight loss procedure is typically quicker and less intensive than surgical options. Because these procedures are performed through the mouth without incisions, most patients return home the same day.

In the days following the procedure, patients may experience temporary symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Fatigue as the body adjusts

These symptoms are expected and usually improve within several days. Your care team will provide medications and clear guidance to help manage discomfort and support healing.

After the procedure, patients begin with liquids and progress slowly to soft foods and then regular foods as tolerated. Nutrition guidance and follow-up support are built into the program to help ensure safe recovery and long-term success.

Most patients are able to return to normal daily activities within a few days, although individual recovery times can vary. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor progress, address concerns and adjust treatment plans as needed.