In this procedure the stomach is stapled along its length to form a thin tube and the excess of stomach is removed. One of its principal advantages over the gastric bypass in which the food enters the small gastric pouch and the passes straight into the small bowel, is that, in the sleeve gastrectomy, the digestive process is exactly the same as before the surgery. 

Since the size of the stomach is smaller and holds fewer food, patients feel full and satisfied with smaller amounts of food therefore they will eat less and consequently loose weight.

Due to the fact that the sleeve gastrectomy can be done laparoscopically, for those patients who are morbidly obese and require a roux-en-y gastric bypass procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy can be the first step.  In this way, patients will loose weight before the roux-en-y gastric bypass and the risks will be much lower.

Generally patients who have a sleeve gastrectomy loose such amount of weight that they will not need to undertake supplementary surgery.  With the sleeve gastrectomy, patients can loose up to 70% of their over weight.

The sleeve gastrectomy has the same risks as any other weight reduction procedures.  The most common complication is leakage from the staple line.  

Sleeve Gastrectomy Advantages  

• It is a safer procedure for those patient with a body mass index (BMI) greate than 60
• Technically, it is a simpler procedure than the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch
• It does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines
• It may be used as the first stage for patients who need roux-en-y gastric bypass
• It can be performed laparoscopically, with the advantage of a shorter recovery, shorter incisions, fewer incision – related problems and less pain

Gastric Bypass | Gastroplasty | Adjustable Gastric Band | Gastrectomy