Today, the Gastric Sleeve surgery option is the fastest-growing weight loss surgery option in the USA.
Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is one of the newer forms of bariatric surgery but has quickly been gaining popularity over the recent years. Also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, vertical Gastroplasty or sleeve Gastroplasty, this procedure is another option for those looking to help with their morbid obesity through surgery.
The Gastric Sleeve is a restrictive procedure meaning that it achieves weight loss results by restricting the amount of food that your body is physically able to take in. There is no malabsorption involved with this procedure.
Gastric Sleeve surgery involves permanently removing a large portion of the stomach, anywhere from 60% to 85% of the total stomach. The portion left behind is a slim tube or “sleeve” that will serve as your new stomach. This stomach is already connected naturally to the stomach inlet and outlet which means that no rerouting of the intestines is needed. The remaining stomach looks like a sleeve (or hose or tube) and holds about 1/2 to 1 Cup, or about the size of a banana.
What differentiates a Gastric Sleeve (and Lap-Band) procedure from other weight loss surgeries is the nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) of the stomach remain intact to preserve the functions of the stomach while at the same time, reducing the volume it is able to hold. There is no bypass of the intestines with the gastric sleeve, only stomach capacity reduction. A Sleeve Gastrectomy also works because it removes the part of the stomach that produces Ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates appetite. This helps to noticeably reduce without completely eliminating a person’s appetite.
The advantages of Gastric Sleeve Surgery include:
- 30 to 60% extra weight loss within the first 12 months of the procedure
- Less invasive than gastric bypass
- No cutting or, disconnection or alteration of the intestines
- No risk of “dumping syndrome” typically associated with gastric bypass
- No need for implementation of medical device in to the body such as a Lap-Band®
- Does not require adjustments or fills.
This procedure is also performed laparoscopically. . It is well tolerated and does not require adjustments as with the Lap-Band® procedure and may be an additional option for patients who may have limited access for getting adjustments for a Lap-Band® or are unable to tolerate needles. As with Lap-Band® surgery, after Gastric Sleeve Surgery the patient is required to do their part by learning to modify their lifestyle and develop a new relationship with food with behavior modification. We have a huge resource section on our website in the Patient support section to help you with this lifestyle modification after surgery.
