The first-ever endoluminal incision-free bariatric surgery was performed on January 22, 2024, at the 3rd Annual Apollo Bariatric Surgery Conference (ABSCON 2024) in Chennai, India. 
This operation was actually the first ever known endoluminal revision of a prior sleeve gastrectomy performed in the world.
The operation, which was shown via video link to 80 surgeons attending the ABSCON 2024 conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chennai, was performed by New York bariatric surgeon, Dr. Elliot Goodman and assisted by Dr. Rajkumar Palaniappan of the bariatric surgery service of Apollo Hospital in Chennai.
The 27 year old, male patient had previously undergone a sleeve gastrectomy in 2024 and has since lost 33 pounds. However, his weight stabilized and he had actually regained 4 pounds within the past month.
A preoperative upper GI series showed that he had significant dilatation of his sleeve, particularly in the mid-portion of the remaining stomach. The operation lasted approximately one hour and was deemed a success.
“We believe that flexible surgery represents the most exciting innovation in bariatric and gastrointestinal surgery in years and we look forward to offering these incisionless procedures to our patients to help combat obesity and other conditions,” said Prathap C. Reddy, M.D. Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group.
After the successful outcome of this operation, the Apollo Hospital has plans to start performing similar procedures on a regular basis. The surgical team has already been trained in this technique in New York by Dr. Goodman (along with the help of Ted Stephens of Apollo Endosurgery®). It is anticipated that the first few cases will be performed within the next couple of months.
The range of procedures will include sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass revisions for patients who have initially lost weight, but are now regaining weight due to either sleeve or pouch/stoma dilatation. The Apollo Hospital surgeons will also be examining the safety and efficacy of primary endoluminal gastroplasty in patients with a BMI of 30 to 40 as part of a clinical trial sponsored by Apollo Endosurgery® Inc.