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GASTRIC SLEEVE

About the procedure:

Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that permanently reduces the size of the stomach by about 85 percent. This procedure can be safer and more effective for patients who are extremely overweight or have health conditions such as very high BMI, anemia, Chrohn's disease, osteoporosis, extensive prior surgeries or other complex medical conditions that may put them at higher risk with other weight loss surgeries.

During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the larger, rounded part of the stomach that produces grehlin, a hormone that stimulates hunger. The remaining stomach looks like a sleeve (or tube) and holds about 15 percent as much food as the original stomach. Unlike gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy leaves stomach openings intact so that digestion occurs normally. Unlike the LAP-BAND® procedure, the body is also free of foreign objects. However, patients may need additional malabsorptive surgery (intestinal bypass or duodenal switch) in order to lose all desired weight. The procedure is not reversible.

Patients may stay in the hospital for one to three days and can expect to resume a full recovery within two to four weeks. On the first day following surgery, they will undergo an upper GI to confirm that there are no complications. After this test, they will begin drinking liquids and be discharged the following day. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled within one week.

Gastric sleeve benefits:

The benefits of sleeve gastrectomy far outweigh the risks. However, it should be considered only after you have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight on diet and exercise programs and are not likely to be successful without surgical intervention.

The most important benefit of sleeve gastrectomy is that it allows patients who have been unable to control their weight through a combination of diet and exercise to achieve rapid, dramatic weight loss. Maintaining an appropriate weight is an important part of living in good health – avoiding heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and the many other medical problems associated with obesity. Most gastric sleeve patients also enjoy dramatically improved energy and self-esteem, as they are able to fully enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle.

Gastric Sleeve risks:

As with any other medical procedure, you must consider the pro and cons of surgery before making your decision. Any surgical procedure carries certain risks including the possibility of adverse reaction to anesthesia and medications; bleeding; death; dehydration; diarrhea; heart attack; infection; injury to surrounding organs; lung problems (such as pneumonia and pulmonary embolism); nausea; pain; stroke; thrombosis (blood clots); and vomiting.)  The Sleeve gastrectomy is not reversible.  Only you can decide if the potential rewards outweigh the risks of surgery.