Gastric Sleeve
How a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Works
How a sleeve gastrectomy works to help you lose weight
During this procedure, a thin vertical sleeve of stomach is created using a stapling device, and the rest of the stomach is completely removed. The sleeve is about the size of a banana. This procedure limits the amount of food you can eat and helps you feel full sooner. It allows for normal digestion and absorption. Food consumed passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing it to be fully absorbed in the body. As with the Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure, this is also a restrictive procedure only without an implanted medical device.
The sleeve gastrectomy procedure
The majority of weight loss sleeve gastrectomies performed today use a laparoscopic technique, which is considered minimally invasive. Laparoscopic surgery usually results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures.
The length of time of the surgery varies. One study found that the average operative time was 1.5 to 3.5 hours and the average hospital stay was 2 to 5 days. Patients usually return to normal activities in 2 weeks and are fully recovered in 3 weeks.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy can be the first step before gastric bypass or it can be a single procedure for weight loss. If a sleeve gastrectomy is used as part of a two-step procedure, the first step is for the surgeon to create the small stomach "sleeve." After a period of time determined by the surgeon, another procedure would be done in which the surgeon attaches a section of the small intestine directly to the stomach pouch. This allows food to bypass a portion of the small intestine. Doing so enables your body to absorb fewer calories, in addition to consuming less food. This two-step procedure may be done because patients may not be able to tolerate both procedures during a single operation. Studies show that the two-step procedure has been used successfully in patients with a body mass index greater than 50 or in high-risk patients. That being said, at Southern Oregon Bariatric Center, we have elected to only operate on female patients with a body mass index up to 60 and male patients with a body mass index up to 55 at this time. For those whose body mass index is greater, we will work closely together to prepare the patient for surgery with a comprehensive program of diet, exercise and behavior modification.
Source: realize.com, © 2010
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