Woman Drops 60 Pounds with Less-Invasive Endoscopic Procedure

Jayme Salerno lost weight through endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) after diets and GLP-1 medications failed.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:06pm

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A translucent X-ray image showing the internal structure of a human stomach with a portion of it sewn closed, conceptually representing the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedure used to help the patient lose weight.An endoscopic procedure helped this patient lose 60 pounds by limiting the size of her stomach.Today in Orlando

Jayme Salerno, a 29-year-old New York resident, struggled with weight gain due to hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for years. After trying various diets, medications, and workouts without success, Salerno opted for an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedure performed by Dr. Andre Teixeira at Orlando Health. The less-invasive ESG, which involves sewing part of the stomach closed to limit food intake, helped Salerno lose 60 pounds over 10 months, exceeding the typical weight loss for the procedure.

Why it matters

Salerno's story highlights the challenges of weight loss for those with underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism and PCOS, and how endoscopic procedures like ESG can provide an alternative to more invasive bariatric surgeries. Her success also demonstrates the importance of finding the right medical team and procedure that aligns with a patient's preferences and goals.

The details

Salerno, who peaked at 225 pounds with a 36 BMI, tried numerous diets, workout regimens, and medications like GLP-1 and metformin, but nothing led to sustained weight loss. She eventually decided to pursue a medical procedure and spoke with Dr. Teixeira about options, including the less-invasive ESG. Salerno chose ESG because it would not require cutting into her body, and she felt comfortable with Dr. Teixeira's approach. After the 45-minute procedure, Salerno followed a liquid diet for 21 days and slowly reintroduced regular foods, while also committing to a strict exercise regimen. The weight loss was rapid, with Salerno shedding 60 pounds in 10 months, exceeding typical ESG results.

  • Salerno was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at age 13.
  • Salerno spoke with Dr. Teixeira about weight loss options, including ESG, two years prior to her procedure.
  • Salerno had the ESG procedure performed by Dr. Teixeira in 2026.

The players

Jayme Salerno

A 29-year-old New York resident who struggled with weight gain due to hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ultimately lost 60 pounds through an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedure.

Dr. Andre Teixeira

The bariatric surgeon at Orlando Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Institute who performed Salerno's endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedure.

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What they’re saying

“I realized this was really unhealthy and I needed to do something drastic.”

— Jayme Salerno

“I went on so many fad diets, even a cookie diet. I tried diet pills. I'd go to workout classes.”

— Jayme Salerno

“Dr. Teixeira wasn't pushy at all. And I liked that he is an actual bariatric surgeon, not a gastric doctor working at a med spa.”

— Jayme Salerno

“Plus, she wanted as little done to her body as possible. She did not want anything taken out of her or rerouted. She felt she just needed a tool to put her in the right direction.”

— Dr. Andre Teixeira, Bariatric Surgeon

“After the surgery, she really changed her lifestyle. She became super active, changed her eating habits and followed up with virtual office visits, which kept her on the right track. She is getting the most out of her life now.”

— Dr. Andre Teixeira, Bariatric Surgeon

What’s next

Salerno and Dr. Teixeira discussed the possibility of exploring additional weight loss procedures, such as a bariatric sleeve or bypass, in the next two to three years if necessary to continue her weight loss journey.

The takeaway

Salerno's story demonstrates the potential of endoscopic weight loss procedures like ESG to help individuals with underlying medical conditions achieve significant and sustained weight loss when traditional methods have failed. Her success highlights the importance of finding the right medical team and procedure that aligns with a patient's preferences and goals.