Chances are you may have heard of or know of someone who has had Lap-Band Surgery, or a Gastric Bypass procedure, but what you may not have heard of is Gastric Sleeve Surgery. It is currently considered the most effective weight loss surgery procedure currently available, combining the advantages of both the Lap-Band and Gastric Bypass procedures.
There are currently three weight-loss surgery options: Gastric Bypass, the Lap-Band, and Gastric Sleeve. The Gastric Bypass procedure was one of the earliest operations performed for weight loss. The implantable Lap-Band adjustable right concept to partition the stomach into an hourglass shape came later. The Gastric Sleeve or Sleeve Gastrectomy came much later with its concept of removing a large portion of the stomach, sizing the remaining portion into a long sleeve that empties naturally into the bowel as it does naturally. Over the years, weight loss surgery has evolved and has ultimately improved; utilizing the safest scientific concepts for surgery while achieving the most effective results.
The advantages of the Gastric Sleeve procedure are multiple, starting with the restrictive effect which is very much similar to the way the Lap-Band works; however no band adjustments are required which can sometimes delay weight loss. On the other hand the nutritional defects of a gastric bypass are avoided because food will travel in exactly the same way as before albeit in smaller quantities. A sleeve gastrectomy leads to loss of 50-70% of the excess weight carried by the individual and in some cases even more.
The Gastric Sleeve procedure was first performed in 2000 and has since gained in popularity due to its high safety record, quick recovery, and positive outcomes for weight loss. The Sleeve has become the surgery of choice, and has increasingly been recognized as an alternative to the Gastric Bypass procedure for patients with a BMI of 40 or higher.
Medical research on chemical messengers from the gut to the brain and are theorized to be responsible for food craving and appetite, have known to be decreased following Gastric Sleeve Surgery. This effect has been scientifically observed in patients post surgery, and is seen to be one of the most important mechanisms in achieving long-term weight loss.
If you are considering having weight loss surgery, it is very important to discuss all surgery methods with our Patient Facilitator, JoAnn Jackson, RN, BSN. We feel it is very important to evaluate your personal medical history, lifestyle, personal needs, and expectations in determining which surgery method is best for you. We invite you to fill out our online form to the right, or click the link below to have our Patient Facilitator contact you directly.
