If you have spent any time at all scouring the internet for ways to lose weight without going under a literal knife, you have probably stumbled upon the name Steven Batash MD NY. He is all over the place. From news segments on ABC and NBC to headlines involving reality stars like Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, Dr. Batash has become the go-to guy for a very specific type of medical procedure: endobariatrics.
But what is he actually doing in that Queens office?
Honestly, most people confuse what he does with traditional bariatric surgery. It isn't that. It also isn't just "taking a pill" like Ozempic, though he definitely has thoughts on that too. Dr. Batash specializes in a middle ground that most of us didn't even know existed ten years ago. Basically, he uses an endoscope (a tiny camera on a tube) to go down the throat and "sew" the stomach from the inside. No cuts. No scars.
The Suture Sculpt Reality: Is It Just Hype?
The flagship procedure at his practice is something called Suture Sculpt, which is a branded name for Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG).
You've probably heard of the gastric sleeve surgery where they cut out 80% of your stomach and throw it in the trash. That is permanent and, frankly, pretty intense. What Steven Batash MD NY does is different. Instead of removing the stomach, he folds it. Think of it like an accordion. He uses a specialized suturing device to cinch the stomach walls together, reducing the volume by about 70% to 80%.
Why does this matter? Well, for one, you still have your whole stomach. It's just... smaller and shaped like a tube.
One thing that's kinda wild is how fast people bounce back. While a surgical sleeve might keep you down for weeks, most of Batash's patients are back to work in two or three days. It’s an outpatient thing. You go in, get the "accordion fold," and you’re home by dinner time.
Does it actually work?
Success is a bit of a mixed bag if you don't do the work. Dr. Batash is pretty upfront about this: the procedure is a tool, not a magic wand. On average, patients lose about 15% to 25% of their total body weight. If you weigh 250 pounds, you’re looking at losing 40 to 60 pounds. For some, that is life-changing. For others expecting to drop 150 pounds overnight, it might feel like a letdown.
Why People Fly to Queens to See Him
It is sort of strange to think of a clinic in Rego Park, NY, as a global hub, but it is. Dr. Steven Batash has been practicing for over 30 years. He didn't just jump on the weight loss bandwagon when it became trendy. He’s a board-certified gastroenterologist who trained at NYU School of Medicine and Columbia.
He’s the "doctor's doctor." He actually trains other physicians on how to do these procedures.
There is a certain level of "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) that you can’t fake. When you look at his background—fellowships at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and affiliations with Lenox Hill Hospital—you realize he’s spent decades looking at the insides of people's digestive tracts. He knows the plumbing.
The "Honey Boo Boo" Connection
We have to talk about the celebrity thing. When Alana Thompson's manager announced she was heading to see Dr. Batash for a Suture Sculpt, it put him on the map for a whole new generation. It highlighted a specific niche: people who are too "heavy" for diet and exercise to be easy, but don't want the extreme risks of major surgery.
Comparing the Options: Orbera vs. Suture Sculpt
If you walk into his office, you aren't just getting one option. Batash is known for variety.
The Gastric Balloon (Orbera)
This is the "starter" procedure for many. They put a balloon in your stomach, fill it with salt water, and leave it there for six months. It takes up space so you feel full. Simple? Sorta. But it’s temporary. After six months, the balloon has to come out.
Suture Sculpt (ESG)
This is more permanent. The sutures are designed to stay there. Interestingly, Dr. Batash has noted that while the sutures are permanent, the procedure is technically reversible because nothing was actually cut away.
Suture ReSculpt
This is for the people who already had a sleeve surgery years ago and noticed their stomach stretched back out. It happens. You can't just go back and get another surgery easily, so Batash goes in and "retightens" the old sleeve. It’s like getting a seamstress to take in a pair of pants that got too big.
The Cost Nobody Talks About
Let’s be real for a second. Insurance is a nightmare for these procedures.
Most insurance companies still view ESG as "investigational" or "cosmetic," even though obesity is a literal medical crisis. Because of this, many of the procedures at Steven Batash MD NY are out-of-pocket. We are talking in the neighborhood of $10,000 to $11,000.
That is a lot of money.
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Is it worth it? That depends on who you ask. If it prevents you from needing a $30,000 heart surgery or lifelong diabetes medication, the math starts to look a bit better. But for the average person, that price tag is a massive hurdle.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That you can get the procedure and then go back to eating pizza and wings every night.
If you overeat constantly after a Suture Sculpt, you can actually break the stitches. It’s rare, but it happens. You have to commit to the "Batash Method," which includes working with their nutritionists and "On-Track" coaches.
He emphasizes "food noise"—that constant mental chatter about your next meal. The procedure helps quiet that noise by slowing down how fast your stomach empties. Instead of food leaving your stomach in 30 minutes, it might stay there for 6 hours. You feel full. You stop thinking about the fridge.
Actionable Insights for Your Journey
If you’re seriously considering looking up Steven Batash MD NY, don't just book a flight. Do these three things first:
- Check your BMI: These procedures are generally for people with a BMI between 30 and 40. If you’re below 30, he might tell you no. If you're above 50, he might suggest traditional surgery instead.
- Audit your "Why": Are you looking for a quick fix for a wedding, or are you ready to change how you view food forever? The procedure only works if you change the behavior.
- Consult virtually: He does virtual consultations. Use them. Ask about the "hidden" side effects like nausea or cramping, which are very common in the first 48 hours.
Next Steps for You
If you feel like you've hit a wall with weight loss, your next move should be to gather your medical records—specifically any previous GI tests or weight loss attempts—and schedule a screening. This isn't a decision to make on a whim, but for those who are tired of the "yo-yo" cycle, exploring endobariatric options in New York might be the pivot point you've been searching for.