What exactly is the Apollo Method?
It is a procedure in which, by means of endoscopy, we access the gastric cavity through the mouth and we manage to reduce its size and shape by means of sutures. It is a novel technique that avoids making incisions in the patient’s skin, which has the advantage of not leaving scars or marks. In addition, the recovery time is significantly reduced, so that patients hardly have to alter their routine.
In which cases is it indicated?
In patients with obesity, i.e. with BMI over 30 kg/m², who are unable to lose weight with conventional methods such as diet and exercise. Patients who need to reduce their gastric capacity to facilitate weight loss.
How is the treatment performed?
The innovation is that it has been possible to place a suture system in the tip of the endoscope, and with it we can access the stomach, modifying its shape. It is performed in the operating room, under general anesthesia. Polypropylene sutures are used (non-absorbable), with which we fold the stomach, without incisions or tissue cuts.
Once the healing phase is over, the reduced size of the stomach is maintained.
What are the advantages of this technique?
Mainly, it is to reduce the recovery time and minimize the possible complications that occasionally occur in surgery. In addition, since no cuts are made, the patient hardly feels any pain.
It is possible to resume the oral diet a few hours after the intervention, which is unthinkable after conventional surgery. A large number of patients demand it because it is discreet, causes hardly any alteration in their lives and leaves no scars.
How are the results and the postoperative period?
The results are noticeable from the first days. Initially, the patient resumes the diet with liquids only and, progressively, they return to eating solids quickly.
The protagonist is the patient, who accompanied by a multidisciplinary and experienced team will accompany you throughout the process, to achieve the goal of weight loss and prevent weight regain.