The Most Common Metabolic Procedure

Often called "the gastric sleeve," the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is performed by removing nearly 80% of the stomach. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch that resembles a banana. The sleeve is an effective operation affecting the hunger and appetite centers of the brain. In other words, your body stops fighting what the brain desires.

illustration of gastric sleeve

 

How The Gastric Sleeve Works

The new stomach pouch holds a considerably smaller volume than the normal stomach and helps significantly reduce the amount of food (and calories) that can be consumed. The greater impact, however, is the effect the surgery has on gut hormones that impact the body's hunger, blood sugar control and overall feeling of fullness.

The sleeve, similar to gastric bypass, is effective in terms of weight loss and improvement of type 2 diabetes independent of the weight loss.
 

The following advantages are associated with the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy:
 

  • The procedure is approved by most insurance companies

  • Our team has more than 10 years of follow-up data available, proving the effectiveness of the procedure

  • Patients typically experience a downtime of two weeks or less

  • The procedure is effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and fatty liver disease

  • If a revision surgery is needed, the procedure allows the patient to undergo other operations such as: gastric bypass, duodenal switch or one-anastomosis gastric bypass


Please note that each surgical case is different. Advantages may vary based on the specific patient.

The following disadvantages are associated with the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy:
 

  • The procedure is nonreversible

  • There's potential for long-term vitamin deficiencies

  • Acid reflux and feeling of "heartburn" may get worse

  • Patients will need to undergo periodic endoscopy of the esophagus to monitor potential long-term serious consequences of "silent" reflux


Please note that each surgical case is different; some patients may not experience any of the disadvantages listed above. Final surgical outcomes may vary based on the specific patient.