Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure, similar to a partial gastrectomy, removing part of the stomach and leaving a long, thin, tube-shaped (sleeve) stomach.
The Procedure
This procedure works by several mechanisms. First, the new stomach pouch holds a considerably smaller volume than the normal stomach and helps to significantly reduce the amount of food (and thus calories) that can be consumed. The more significant impact, however, seems to be the surgery has effect on gut hormones, which impact several factors, including hunger, satiety, and blood sugar control.
Short-term studies show that the sleeve is as effective as the roux-en-Y gastric bypass in weight loss and improvement or remission of diabetes. Evidence suggests the sleeve, similar to the gastric bypass, effectively improves type 2 diabetes independent of weight loss. The complication rates of the sleeve fall between those of the adjustable gastric band and the roux-en-y gastric bypass.
Advantages
- Restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold.
- Induces rapid and significant weight loss that comparative studies find similar to that of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Weight loss of >50 percent for 3 to 5+ year data, and weight loss comparable to the bypass with maintenance of >50 percent.
- It requires no foreign objects (like an Adjustable Gastric Band) and no bypass or re-routing of the food stream (like Gastric Bypass).
- Involves a relatively short hospital stay of approximately 2 days.
- Causes favorable changes in gut hormones that suppress hunger, reduce appetite, and improve satiety.
Disadvantages
- It is a non-reversible procedure.
- Has the potential for long-term vitamin deficiencies.
- Not as effective as reducing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) as Gastric Bypass.
Education
You will receive information about sleeve gastrectomy during your initial consultation.
Review a procedure animation video of the sleeve gastrectomy to understand the procedure better.
The photo was reprinted with permission from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Copyright 2015; all rights reserved.
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MUSC Health Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery ProgramAshley River Tower
25 Courtenay Drive
Charleston, SC 29425
