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Sleeve gastrectomy (or gastric sleeve surgery) involves the removal of a large portion of the stomach while leaving the part of the stomach that connects to the intestines intact. Weight loss is facilitated by both reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold and by removing the part of the stomach that secretes the ghrelin hormone, which is responsible for telling our brains when we are hungry. This unique combination offers the benefit of feeling full as experienced with the LAP-BAND® procedure, as well as appetite suppression afforded by gastric bypass procedures.

Sleeve gastrectomy is often the best choice for patients who need a more aggressive treatment than the LAP-BAND® procedure but who want to avoid the problems with malabsorption that can be experienced with gastric bypass. It can also be beneficial for patients with lower pre-operative body weight and for patients who have medical conditions such as anemia or Chiron’s disease which exclude them as candidates for other types of weight loss surgery. Post-operative diet and behavior modifications for sleeve gastrectomy patients are very similar to LAP-BAND® post-operative requirements.

The Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedure

Most surgeons will perform the sleeve gastrectomy procedures using the laparoscopic technique. During laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the surgeon removes approximately 80 to 85 percent of the stomach, creating a long cylinder shape that resembles a "sleeve." Once the new smaller stomach is created, it will be closed with special titanium surgical staples. The surgeon will also reinforce the closure with surgical sutures to prevent leakage from the new smaller stomach, and a leak test is performed in the operating room prior to sending the patient to the recovery room. Most patients will spend one to three nights in the hospital after the sleeve gastrectomy procedure.

The new smaller stomach holds just a few ounces of food, thus restricting the amount of food intake. Along with removing of the part of the stomach that secretes ghrelin, which controls appetite and hunger, patients no longer feel hungry, reducing the amount and frequency of food intake and resulting in weight loss.  In general, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients can expect to lose 30 to 50 percent of their excess body weight in the first 6 to 12 months after surgery. Results can vary from patient to patient and will depend on how well diet, nutrition, and exercise guidelines are followed.