Sleeve gastrectomy provides patients with a safe, effective, minimally invasive option for losing weight.
Sleeve gastrectomy involves creating a thin vertical sleeve of stomach about the size of a banana. The rest of the stomach is removed. Food passes through the digestive system in the usual order and is absorbed normally into the body. Because the new stomach is about one-third to one-quarter the size of the former one, the amount of food that can be eaten is limited and patients feel fuller faster and longer. Sleeve gastrectomy also causes a change in gut hormones resulting in a profound loss of hunger. Because hunger is suppressed, it is easy for the patient to eat small amounts of food and still be satisfied.
Sleeve surgery also reduces the incidence of post-surgical complications, such as implant malfunctions with the gastric band procedure, or small intestine hernias and malabsorption problems that can occur after gastric bypass surgery.
Patients lose on average 60 percent of their excess weight after surgery.
