The gastric sleeve surgery has become more widely available under insurance plans that cover bariatric surgery. This surgical procedure is permanent and is not reversible. There are no long term statistics available for this procedure in the US.
The Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 45 minutes. Most patients can expect to go home the following day.
The Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric surgery. The restriction comes from the new size of the stomach which is 2/3 smaller. The stomach is cut and stapled creating a long cylindrical tube (banana shape) that will hold about 2 to 3 ounces of food. The new smaller stomach allows a person to eat a smaller amount of food to feel satiated.
A decrease in physical hunger occurs because a large part of the stomach is removed from the body, reducing the level of Ghrelin, a hunger-promoting hormone produced in the stomach tissue.
No malabsorption occurs because the food is absorbed the same as before surgery. The Sleeve Gastrectomy also preserves the pyloric valve, the muscular area at the end of the stomach that regulates the passage of stomach contents into the small intestine. Despite not having the malabsorption that occurs in the Gastric Bypass procedure, patients with a Sleeve Gastrectomy achieve almost the same weight loss results (between 55 and 75 percent of excess body weight) but without the risk of some of the major complications of Gastric Bypass patients.
Benefits of The Sleeve Procedure
- The size of the stomach is smaller
- 45 minute average surgical time
- Low Major surgical risks of 1.49%
- Discharged usually 1st day after surgery
- Return to a non-physical strenuous job in 14 days
- The new cylindrical shaped stomach will hold enough food your body needs -2 to 3 ounces of food
- A smaller stomach means smaller food portions which are getting back to normal consumption
- Reduction in “hunger-promoting hormone” Ghrelin.
The Other Surgical Weight Loss Options
LAP-BAND
Laparoscopic
The Lap-Band is an adjustable silicone band that is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The properly adjusted band reduces physical hunger and provides satiety with small meals.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic
This is a safe and effective procedure. It creates a small stomach pouch that allows an individual to feel satiated from eating a small meal.
Advanced Gastrointestinal Surgeries
Laparoscopic
These are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases including esophagus, stomach, biliary tract, and the colon.