Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, gastric sleeve resection or simply sleeve gastrectomy, is one of the most innovative types of weight loss surgery performed today.

During this procedure, the surgeon will remove about 85% of your stomach, making it look like a tube or sleeve, thus the name “sleeve” gastrectomy. And even when the surgeon needs to remove that much, he or she only makes a small incision on the abdomen. This is where the surgeon would insert a probe equipped with a built-in camera (laparoscope) along with other small surgical instruments to remove parts of the stomach.

This procedure usually takes about 1.5 hours and the patient will be required to stay in the hospital for one to two nights (depending on his or her condition and overall health). Healing is relatively fast, in fact, patients who have had sleeve gastrectomy usually return to work after only 2 to 3 weeks following their surgery.

Gastric Sleeve Procedure

Surgery Duration – 1.5 Hours
Nights in Hospital – 2 Nights
Nights in Hotel – 3 (1 Pre-Op, 2 Post-Op)
Back to Work – 2 to 3 Weeks

Why does Sleeve Gastrectomy work?

It is a known fact that in order to burn excess fat and lose weight, you have to eat less than what your body needs every day. This is the principle behind sleeve gastrectomy, which is a form of restrictive weight loss surgery; that is, significantly reducing stomach size, the individual will consume less as his or her stomach is now easily filled. Other clinicians also theorize that by reducing stomach size, there will be reduced production of a stomach-produced hormone called Ghrelin which induces hunger. Thus, with vertical sleeve gastrectomy, the individual becomes full easily and is less hungry.

Why undergo Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Gastric sleeve patients report fewer digestion problems compared to other types of weight loss surgeries. First, no foreign objects are placed within the body and secondly, since it is a purely restrictive procedure, it avoids occurrence of malabsorption problems which can occur with other types of surgery. Finally, since the remaining part of the stomach is composed of less stretchy tissue, the likelihood for stretching and failing in the ensuing years is minimal.

Gastric Sleeve: It’s Your Choice

The benefits of sleeve gastrectomy go beyond simply having better looks and fast weight loss. For patients having trouble with weight, sleeve gastrectomy offers an opportunity to feel better as well as live longer and more productive due to significantly reduced risks of acquiring any kind of obesity-related conditions as a result of surgery. Even so, just like every other type of surgery, patients may have several complications such as possible leaking of stomach contents, presence of blood clots, wound infection and bleeding, etc. Then again, living a healthier and more rewarding life will never be without risks. In the end, the choice will always be yours to make. Whether you choose to have a sleeve gastrectomy or another type of weight loss surgery, or whether you choose to exercise or to just go on a diet, the most important thing is that you lose weight. And to do that, all you really need to do is simply — make a choice! To find out if this surgery may be right for you, contact one of our care specialists today.