Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty offers non-surgical obesity treatment in Hong Kong
Dr Dennis Lam describes endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) as a scarless procedure that reduces stomach capacity by 70 per cent, helping patients with metabolic syndrome achieve 15 to 20 per cent total body weight loss over 12 to 24 months without abdominal incisions.
Patients in Hong Kong living with severe obesity often struggle to find the right treatment, according to Dr Dennis Lam Chin-tou, a specialist in general surgery. While laparoscopic bariatric surgery remains a highly effective gold-standard intervention, not every candidate is suited for or comfortable with a major operation, he said.
In clinical practice, patients frequently express feeling stuck in a gap: traditional lifestyle measures may yield limited long-term results, while surgical operations feel like a larger leap than they are ready to take. Obesity is a complex metabolic condition, not a failure of willpower, Dr Lam wrote in The Standard.
For those seeking a safe alternative, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) offers a valuable non-surgical middle ground. Unlike traditional surgery, ESG is performed entirely through the mouth under general anaesthesia without any abdominal cuts. Using a flexible endoscope equipped with a specialised suturing device, the physician places full-thickness running stitches to fold and cinch the stomach walls inward, reducing its capacity by roughly 70 per cent into a narrow tube.
Because no gastric tissue is cut or permanently removed, patients benefit from minimal post-procedure pain and a smooth recovery, typically staying in hospital for a few days for close monitoring and initial dietary adaptation.
Beyond significant weight reduction, ESG serves as a powerful intervention against metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including hypertension, high blood sugar, visceral fat and abnormal cholesterol levels. By physically restricting stomach capacity and slowing gastric emptying, the procedure helps patients achieve early satiety while favourably resetting key gastrointestinal hormone signals.
Clinical studies demonstrate that patients achieve an average total body weight loss of 15 to 20 per cent over 12 to 24 months, alongside meaningful health improvements. These include enhanced insulin sensitivity and improved glycated haemoglobin control in type 2 diabetes, favourable drops in blood pressure and lipid profiles for cardiovascular health, and reductions in non-alcoholic fatty liver parameters.
Bariatric management is not one-size-fits-all, Dr Lam concluded. By pairing an incisionless, organ-sparing technique with proven metabolic benefits, ESG expands the spectrum of modern medical care, empowering patients to safely regain control of their health.