East Cooper Medical performs endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty

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East Cooper Medical Center completed its first endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty weight loss procedure last week.

Dr. Morris Washington with East Cooper Medical Group said the gastroplasty is a newer type of weight loss procedure that takes place inside the stomach without abdominal incisions. The procedure involves the use of an endoscope, a camera attached to a flexible tube, that is equipped with a suturing system.

“The endoscope goes through the mouth to the stomach, where it is then used to place stitches in the stomach to reduce its size and limit the amount of food that is eaten before feeling full,” Washington said in a news release. “It also lengthens the time food remains in the stomach, prolonging the feeling of fullness. “

Following the procedure, patients can typically return to their normal routine after a few days of recovery at home, according to Washington.

The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure is ideal for patients with a body mass index of at least 30, the release said. It is a long-term weight loss option for people who do not want to undergo gastric bypass or who are ineligible for surgery because of their physical condition.

“It has been very rewarding to help dozens of people move forward with their weight loss journey since first launching our bariatric program in May,” said Patrick Downes, CEO at East Cooper Medical Center. “Dr. Morris Washington and his team have consistently introduced new procedures through our program to make high-quality surgical and nonsurgical weight loss options more accessible here in Mount Pleasant.”

Washington and the East Cooper Medical Center bariatric program navigator lead monthly in-depth conversations with the public about what is involved in surgical and nonsurgical weight loss. Registration is online for the seminars hosted by the medical center.