Sleeve Gastrectomy, also called a Gastric Sleeve, is a weight loss surgery in which the large part of the stomach is surgically removed. This results in a new stomach which is roughly the size and shape of a banana. Like other bariatric surgeries, the impact of the Gastric Sleeve helps to reduce hunger which in return helps patients to decrease the number of calories they consume, helping them to reach a healthy weight and promote healthy eating habits.
Gastric Sleeve is not a quick fix for a patient’s obesity. It will greatly change a patient’s lifestyle. After the surgery, patients must eat healthy and control portion sizes of meals and maintain an exercise routine. Gastric Sleeve is most often performed on individuals who are too overweight to safely have other types of weight-loss surgery. In some cases, patients may eventually need a second weight-loss surgery.
The surgery is usually done using a small camera that is placed in the stomach. This type of surgery is called laparoscopy. The camera is called a laparoscope and allows for the surgeon to see inside your stomach.
In this surgery:
Q: What kind of results should I expect?
A: The gastric sleeve has excellent weight loss and obesity related disease improvement potential. While individual results vary, the average patient loses up to 70% of their excess body weight. Patients report improvement or elimination of their obesity related diseases such as high blood pressure, etc.
Q: Are all sleeves performed laparoscopically
A: Most of gastric sleeve procedures are performed as a minimally invasive procedure. However, if patient specific circumstances dictate concern, a Surgeon may suggest an open procedure as being safer or more effective, but is a very rare occurrence.
Q: Who is an ideal candidate for a gastric sleeve?
A:
Q: Will my stomach stretch back to a normal size?
A: The stomach will not stretch back to its original size. Patients who continue to overeat and lead sedentary lifestyles following surgery risk increasing their new stomach size and weight.
Q: How quickly will I lose my excess weight?
A: This is different for every individual. Every person responds differently to weight loss surgery. With the Gastric sleeve procedure, the common patient reports losing around 50-60% of excess body weight loss in approximately 2 years.
