The ESG diet is designed to work together with the non-surgical weight loss procedure called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). At Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center in New York City, this procedure is known as Suture Sculpt ESG, and instead of cutting or removing part of your stomach like during traditional bariatric surgery, Suture Sculpt uses stitches that are placed from the inside to make your stomach smaller so you will eat less and stay feeling full longer.
During the procedure, the size of your stomach is reduced by about 70 to 80 percent, which allows very small meals to make you feel satisfied. Since there are no incisions, there are far fewer risks for complications, and your recovery is quicker and easier compared to traditional bariatric surgery. But just like with any weight loss procedure, the food you eat before and after is one of the most important parts of achieving and maintaining your results.
Today we are going to talk about how the ESG diet helps set you up for weight loss success and keeps you on the right track to maintain your results for the future.
ESG Pre-Op Diet
Preparing for your ESG procedure is not as difficult or involved as getting ready to undergo traditional bariatric surgery. Often patients must follow a special diet that can last anywhere from two weeks to a few months to help shrink their liver before the surgeon can perform a gastric sleeve or bypass.
Before your ESG procedure, Dr. Batash will provide you with any guidelines you need to follow that will get your body ready for your endoscopic procedure. This preparation process can look different for each patient based on their current health situation, their BMI, and any special circumstances.
A few days before your ESG procedure, you will follow a liquid-only diet, which will include things like clear broth, water, sugar-free drinks, and special protein shakes. This step helps clear out your stomach so Dr. Batash can safely and precisely place the sutures into it to decrease its usable capacity. You will also need to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before your procedure, which is standard practice that is done for your safety before any procedure that requires sedation.
Healing and Your ESG Post-Op Diet
Once your ESG procedure has been completed, your stomach will need some time to heal, so you will need to slowly reintroduce food while avoiding overwhelming your stomach. The ESG diet is broken down into stages that help reacclimate your stomach so it can handle solid food again.
Stage 1
This first phase lasts about a week and involves only clear liquids (that you can see through) enhanced with electrolytes, sugar, or sodium but that do not contain any types of chunks or pieces. You can sip water, broth, decaf tea, and approved clear protein shakes like Batash Pro Power Protein. These liquids will help you stay hydrated and get a little protein while helping your stomach become accustomed to its new shape and size without adding excess stress.
A sample of a daily menu during this phase would look something like this:
Morning
- 4 oz warm, low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 oz decaf herbal tea (unsweetened or with stevia)
Mid-Morning
- 4 oz water with electrolyte drops or sugar-free electrolyte drink (like Propel or Liquid I.V.)
- 4 oz Batash Pro Power Protein (or another clear protein drink)
Lunch
- 4 oz warm vegetable broth
- 4 oz sugar-free flavored water (like lemon or cucumber infused)
Afternoon
- 4 oz clear protein drink
- 4 oz herbal tea or water with a squeeze of fresh lemon
Evening
- 4 oz bone broth (rich in protein and easy on the stomach)
- 4 oz water or sugar-free electrolyte drink
Before Bed
- 4 oz clear protein drink
- 4 oz warm decaf tea or water
Stage 2
During the second week, you can move to foods that are pureed or blended, which would have a consistency similar to baby food. This may sound a bit underwhelming, but our savvy team at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center can give you some ideas to help spruce up your options. This phase would include blended soups, pureed vegetables, and smooth foods without chunks, like applesauce or drinkable yogurt. Everything should be blended, easy to swallow, and low in sugar, which will give your body some nutrients without making your stomach work too hard.
Stage 3
During weeks 3 and 4, you will add soft foods, and you have a bunch of options because almost any food can be cooked until it is soft. You cannot have raw vegetables, nuts, or crunchy textures yet, and you should avoid sugar, fried food, and carbonated drinks.
You can have things like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soft-cooked vegetables, or tender meats like ground turkey or chicken. You should chew slowly and stop eating as soon as you begin to feel full. Your new stomach size will help prevent you from eating too much as long as you listen and pay attention to the cues your body gives you.
A sample menu for a day during week 3 of the post-endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty diet would look something like this:
Breakfast
- 2 scrambled eggs cooked soft with a little olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese
- Sip on water or decaf tea (between bites, not during meals)
Mid-Morning Snack
- 1 small container (4 oz) of low-sugar Greek yogurt
- Optional: small sprinkle of cinnamon for flavor
Lunch
- 2 ounces baked or poached salmon, flaked well
- 2 tablespoons mashed sweet potato
- 2 tablespoons steamed and mashed zucchini
- Water or unsweetened iced tea (sip slowly between meals).
Afternoon Snack
- 2 tablespoons of hummus with a soft-boiled egg
Dinner
- 2 ounces of ground turkey cooked soft
- 2 tablespoons mashed avocado
- 2 tablespoons soft, well-cooked carrots
Before Bed
- 4 oz protein shake (sipped slowly over 20–30 minutes)
Stage 4
By the end of the first month, you can pretty much return to solid foods, but you will have to follow a healthy eating plan. Your meals should be small, balanced, and include protein, vegetables, and whole grains. You will have to eat mindfully and ensure you give your body what it needs most first, like protein, because you will get full very fast and may not be able to eat enough to get it all in. Unhealthy foods and foods and beverages full of sugar should be avoided.
In between your meals you need to be drinking plenty of water throughout the day, but it is best to avoid drinking during meals to prevent overfilling your stomach.
Why The Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Diet Matters
The ESG diet will help your stomach adjust to its new size, but more importantly, it will teach you about choosing healthier options and foods that are going to give your body the most benefits.
Your smaller stomach will make you feel full faster and help you recognize the fullness cue, and the ESG diet will help you build healthier habits so you achieve sustainable weight loss. Most patients lose between 21 and 28 percent of their total body weight within the first year, and many continue to lose weight and maintain their results long term by staying committed to their new lifestyle habits.
Your diet after ESG is critical because the procedure can only do so much, and the rest is up to you. If you go back to old eating habits or try to eat too much too soon, it can stretch out your stomach and reduce the benefits of the procedure.
Quality Support Is Essential For Reaching Your Weight Loss Goals
In addition to Dr. Batash performing the Suture Sculpt ESG procedure and your dedication to following the lifelong ESG post-op diet, the level of support you receive can significantly increase the success of your weight loss journey.
The team at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center are all expert professionals and provide you with the highest quality of aftercare and guidance available, so you are not on your own trying to navigate your weight loss journey. You also will have the option to join our OnTrack program long-term, which gives you access to nutritional guidance, lifestyle coaching, and more.
Tips for Sticking With Your ESG Diet
To get the most out of your Suture Sculpt ESG procedure, you need to stick to the lifestyle changes you have made, which include eating a nutritious, balanced, low-calorie diet. Some tips that will help you lose and maintain a healthy weight include:
- Take your time when you are eating and sit at the table during mealtimes rather than on the couch, in bed, or while you are watching television or scrolling on your device. Eating mindfully allows you to be present in the moment, concentrating on your eating, so you will recognize and acknowledge the cues your body is sending.
- Do not drink with your meals but rather throughout the entire day, stopping about a half an hour before your meal. Stay away from carbonated drinks and beverages full of sugar.
- Choose foods that are high in protein and nutrition but low in sugar and fat.
- Use a smaller plate to help with portion control.
- Most of all, listen to your body and stop eating when you feel full. There is no penalty for not finishing all the food on your plate.
- Stay consistent with your follow-up visits and your coaching sessions, and reach out for help when you need it.
You should not look at the ESG diet as something that is temporary but as your new normal and a long-term solution that promotes weight management and improved health. We invite you to take a look at some of our real patients who have had great success and incredible weight loss results after Suture Sculpt ESG and following their ESG diet plan.
With your smaller stomach, the right mindset, and an amazing support system, you can lose weight and keep it off and improve your health without having to undergo invasive surgery. Set up your consultation today to learn more about Suture Sculpt ESG and how the team at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Centers can help you live a healthier lifestyle.
