Treatments

Apollo Method (Endoscopic Gastric Plication)

Apollo method, stomach reduction without surgery

Unprecedented technical advancement
Safe and efficient technology in expert hands
Durability from 18 to 24 months
Personalized follow-up by a highly qualified team

What is the Apollo Method?

The "Apollo Method" allows to reduce the capacity of the stomach by means of a simple endoscopy.
It is achieved by making a plication of the stomach pocket (covers and body), decreasing its capacity for distension and therefore limiting the capacity. It is also known as Endoscopic Gastric Plication (Endo-Sleeve). Everything is done without incisions or surgery.

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Learn more about the Apollo Method

It is not a definitive procedure (therapeutic efficacy of about 18 months).
It is performed by endoscopy and general anesthesia. Due to its duration and technical difficulty, it is necessary to perform the procedure in the operating room and under general anesthesia. It has a duration similar to the Laparoscopic Gastric Plication.
When performed by endoscopy, the major curvature of the stomach cannot be released, so a true orderly plication of the pocket is NOT performed, but one that are points that join the anterior face with the posterior face of the stomach, trying to achieve a tubular form of the residual stomach.
When the stomach fills with food, the tension pulls on each independent point that joins both sides of the stomach, until over the months the points are released and the stomach returns to its original size.
Endoscopic gastric plication lasts about 18 months and the stomach returns to normal size ALWAYS. This time can be longer or shorter, depending on the patient: a good discipline avoiding excessive intake, can allow a much longer durability of the restriction.
As the stomach is not plicated but facing or united the anterior and posterior walls, it can produce bacterial overgrowth, gastrictis..., etc., which may require pharmacological medical treatment.

The two techniques seek to obtain the same therapeutic effect, reducing the size of the stomach. The Endoscopic Gastric Plication - Apollo Method (PGE) is attempted by endoscopy and the Laparoscopic Gastric Plication (PGL) is performed by laparoscopy. PGE is not an operation, it is an "interventional endoscopy" and theoretically has less risk. Against him, the procedure is not definitive, and the patient has to do more of his part in the long term.

By means of a gastroscopy (tube through the mouth), without incisions or surgery, lines of dots are made that are plicating the greater curvature of the stomach. You get:

A noticeable decrease in stomach capacity.
The stomach loses the ability to relax, avoiding excessive infestations.
The material of the points resists the action of gastric acid.
The patient feels filled with what fits on a dessert plate or half a plate.
The duration of the Plication is about 18 months, but can be longer if the patient does not force trying to eat a larger volume.

This is the first medical system that allows suturing inside the Gastric Light, through an endoscope, without having to perform an operation. It was created by the pharmaceutical company Apollo, from which it receives its name. The procedure lasts between 50 and 80 minutes. It is necessary to apply anesthesia and therefore is performed in the operating room for greater safety. However, no incision is made, it is not surgery.

It endorses us:

We have trained with one of the most expert Endoscopic Doctors in Spain, with an experience of more than 550 cases treated and excellent results.
We apply a technical variant developed by Dr Manoel Galvao, a world pioneer in these techniques, which achieves lower tension in the points, allowing greater durability of them.

It is not a definitive procedure (therapeutic efficacy of about 18 months).
It is performed by endoscopy and general anesthesia. Due to its duration and technical difficulty, it is necessary to perform the procedure in the operating room and under general anesthesia. It has a duration similar to the Laparoscopic Gastric Plication.
When performed by endoscopy, the major curvature of the stomach cannot be released, so a true orderly plication of the pocket is NOT performed, but one that are points that join the anterior face with the posterior face of the stomach, trying to achieve a tubular form of the residual stomach.
When the stomach fills with food, the tension pulls on each independent point that joins both sides of the stomach, until over the months the points are released and the stomach returns to its original size.
Endoscopic gastric plication lasts about 18 months and the stomach returns to normal size ALWAYS. This time can be longer or shorter, depending on the patient: a good discipline avoiding excessive intake, can allow a much longer durability of the restriction.
As the stomach is not plicated but facing or united the anterior and posterior walls, it can produce bacterial overgrowth, gastrictis..., etc., which may require pharmacological medical treatment.

Why deal with us of Apollo Method (Endoscopic Gastric Plication)

Expert endoscopic team.
We apply a variant of the technique developed by Dr. Manoel Galvao, a world pioneer, more effective and long-lasting in weight loss.
Specialized psychological and nutritional intervention for 18 months.
Follow-up by bariatric surgeon.

Speed and safety

He needs 12 hours of hospital admission and general anesthesia.
24-48 adaptation.
Liquid diet and supplements for 7 days.
Progressive exercise from day one.
24 hours localization telephone.
Follow-up and multidisciplinary work for 18 months.

Price and what the treatment includes

Clinics Valencia and Madrid

Apollo Method

10.400 euros

Multidisciplinary follow-up

Included (16 months)

(*) Fixed hospital costs. All included, except specific preparatory studies. (Consultation with our Coordinator)

The prices include

Previous multidisciplinary study
Medical team fees
Medication and materials needed
Multidisciplinary intervention
Medical follow-up
Telephone 24 hours

Interest-free financing up to 12 months or up to 5 years (APR 8%, variable according to market)

Start your personalized study with free estimate

We will perform a preliminary evaluation and medical recommendation , without obligation.

Organization of the operation

Preparation

Omeprazole 7 previous days
24-hour liquid diet
Fasting 8 hours

Endoscopy

By simple endoscopy with anesthesia, 90 min. duration.
Admission 12-14 hours clinical control.

Adaptation and monitoring

24-48 hours adaptation for return to normal life
Nutritional and Psychological Work and Physical Exercise and clinical control 18 months

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Multidisciplinary follow-up by an expert team

The multidisciplinary follow-up of the patient aims to ensure the success of the surgery in the long term. In order to do this, our professionals will perform the following functions:

- Medical evaluation and follow-up by the bariatric surgeon
- Dietary evaluation and follow-up by the nutritionist
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy by the psychologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gastric Plication by Mini-invasive Laparoscopy (PGL)

It is a procedure that is considered definitive.
It is performed by mini-invasive laparoscopy and general anesthesia. First, the major curvature of the stomach is released from its attachment to the omentum or “fatty apron,” and this allows the plication or invagination of the stomach. An orderly double intussusception of the gastric pouch is performed by means of transmural and continuous stitches, distributing the tensile force throughout the tissues in a homogeneous manner.
A homogeneous, solid and PERMANENT tubular shape is achieved. (The stitches do not break the tissue over time as happens with the Endoscopic method).
There’s no nooks and crannies in the stomach. May be explored by gastroscopy.
It is a definitive technique, although no studies have been carried out for more than 7 years.
The stitches may “loosen” in the fundus area in 10 – 15% of cases, due to the patient forcing and vomiting.

Endoscopic Gastric Plication (Endo-Sleeve) is recommended in patients with a BMI greater than 30 (overweight of 20 kg or greater), who have not been able to lose weight in a stable manner with a well-done diet supported by a specialist. It should only be used in patients who are able to commit themselves and become aware of the need for a change in dietary habits and lifestyle, indefinitely; for life. It can also be used in patients with a BMI greater than 35 (overweight of more than 30 kg) who do not wish to undergo surgery at this time.

It is a very safe method in expert hands. A conventional exploration of the gastric cavity is performed; in the event that the patient suffers from active ulcer, major gastritis or hiatus hernia vs. esophagitis, the procedure cannot be performed. In those cases, the pathology found is treated and reviewed at weeks (except for hiatal hernia, which is not improved by medication). The patient must assume the risk of mini-invasive anesthesia (minimal risk today), and possible gastric bleeding as a result of the gastric stitches. However, statistically, the risk is minimal, and possible complications of uncomplicated solution.

It’s not surgery. It’s an endoscopic procedure.

It’s not definitive. It is a temporary procedure, however the latest studies show a durability of the restrictive effect (smaller stomach) of up to 18 months. From that time, the stomach gradually recovers its previous size, due to the spontaneous liberation of the stitches, due to ischemia of the tissues on which it rests.

The patient has 18 months or more to lose as much weight as possible by eating a balanced and healthy diet. In addition, it learns to have an emotional relationship with food, healthy, without taking refuge in them as a result of stress or anger…The initial weight loss facilitates that patients resume an adequate and healthy physical activity.

The patient must continue to apply exactly the same dietary and lifestyle modifications that have allowed him/her to lose weight over the previous 18 months. The key is in the 18 months that the patient has the help of a smaller stomach, during which he must not only lose excessive weight, but change his habits forever.

The average weight loss in patients is between 45 and 70 % of excess weight. Young people who engage in proper physical activity can lose up to 90-100% of their excess weight.