THE PROCEDURES

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy -often called the sleeve-  — is performed by removing 80% of the stomach. The remaining stomach is about the size of a banana (in length and circumference).

The sleeve works to help you lose weight by two primary and interacting benefits: Restriction and Metabolic Changes.

Restriction: Similar to RYGB,  the new stomach sleeve holds a much smaller amount of food compared to before surgery. This helps to significantly reduce the amount of food (and this calories) that can be consumed.

Metabolic Changes: Also similar to RYGB, the greater impact of the sleeve seems to be the effect the surgery has on gut hormones that impact a number of factors including hunger, satiety, and blood sugar control. Short term studies show that the sleeve is as effective as the RYGB in terms of weight loss and improvement or remission of diabetes. There is also evidence that suggest the sleeve, similar to the gastric bypass, is effective in improving type 2 diabetes independent of the weight loss.

THE PROCEDURES

GASTRIC BYPASS

GASTRIC SLEEVE

BENEFITS & RISKS

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Gastric Sleeve
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Advantages

1) It is a less complicated surgery to perform than RYGB

2) Restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold

3) Induces rapid and significant weight loss that comparative studies find similar to that of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Weight loss of >50% for 3-5+ year data, and weight loss comparable to that of the bypass with maintenance of >50%

4) Does not require the placement of a foreign object like gastric band

5) No bypassing or re-routing of the food stream as in RYGB

Disadvantages

1) Is not reversible

2) Has the potential for long-term vitamin deficiencies

How long is the operation?
Generally about one hour, similar to a gastric band and shorter than the RYGB.
How long will I be in the hospital?
The average length of time in the hospital is one overnight stay. However, on a case-by-case basis, a person may be discharged later the same day of the surgery. Same-day discharge is never a spontaneous decision. The discussion about same-day discharge begins between the surgeon and the patient before surgery ever happens and is re-evaluated on the day of surgery during the post-operative hours after surgery.
How much weight should I expect to lose?
The expected weight loss is about 60% of excess body weight, slightly less than the gastric bypass.
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