Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Gastrectomy)

What is a Sleeve Gastrectomy?

A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, also known as “sleeve” surgery, is a weight loss option where doctors surgically make the stomach smaller to help patients feel full faster and eat less. The surgery involves freeing the stomach from surrounding organs and using surgical staplers to remove about 80% of it. What’s left of the stomach is about the same size and shape as a banana.

It’s a safe, simple surgery with minimal risks.

How Does a Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?

There are a few ways a sleeve gastrectomy helps patients lose, and maintain, a healthy weight while better controlling their blood sugar, including:

• The new shape of the stomach holds less food and liquid, which causes you to eat less and take in fewer calories.
• The surgery also removes the part of the stomach that makes most hunger hormones, which makes you feel less hungry and fuller.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Requirements & Qualifications

Certain criteria are required by most insurance providers in order to be considered a candidate for bariatric surgery. See if the following qualifications apply to you, and double check with your insurance provider to confirm you’re a candidate.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Side Effects and Recovery

Side effects are part of any surgical procedure. Fortunately, the potential long-term complications from gastric sleeve surgery are not common. They include:

• Hair loss
• Dumping syndrome
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Ulcers
• Bile gastritis
• Hernias
• Foreign body reaction
• Infection
• Other post operative problems

Loose skin can occur after any significant weight loss. Some people may feel self-conscious about having excess skin. Weight loss after surgery continues for about 18 to 24 months. After that, your body is ready for additional surgery for excess skin removal. This is typically performed by a plastic surgeon who evaluates you and, together, the two of you decide what areas may need work. This cosmetic surgery may not be covered by insurance. Documentation of health problems related to the excess skin may be required. These may include rashes, back pain or difficulty maintaining reasonable hygiene.

Return to work times vary. You’ll have a 10-to-20-pound weight restriction for two weeks following surgery. We encourage you to exercise as soon as you feel ready. For some, this is as early as one week. Most patients find that they need one or two weeks before going back to work. Others are back to work before that. You may feel tired the first week after your surgery, but you’ll actually feel more energetic as you lose weight.

We're dedicated to ensuring your surgery is as safe as possible. Thanks to significant advancements in surgical weight loss care over the past two decades, we can perform these procedures with an exceptionally low risk of complications. During your consultation, we'll carefully assess your individual risks and benefits. Remember, the dangers of obesity far surpass the risks associated with surgery.