What is the gastric sleeve?
The gastric sleeve also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical bariatric procedure whereby the stomach is reduced/removed by 75% of its original size and what remains resembles a sleeve. The Gastric Sleeve weight loss surgery is a permanent and non-reversible procedure. By having the Gastric sleeve surgery, you will lose more weight quickly, this is achieved by reducing your intake of food and giving you a feeling of complete satiety.
How does it work?
A gastric sleeve works by permanently removing a large portion of your stomach. This transforms the existing stomach, which is usually pouch-shaped, into a long tube or sleeve shape that is roughly the size of a banana. The majority of your stomach tissue is fully removed and the smaller pouch-shaped portion remaining is stitched or stapled back together. As the capacity of your stomach is vastly reduced, it can only hold a small portion of food. You will feel full after eating much less food and be less hungry between meals.
Following the procedure, food consumed is able to pass through and be absorbed by the digestive tract normally. Patients can usually return to normal activities within a couple of weeks and are fully recovered within about three weeks.
A sleeve gastrectomy also removes the part of your stomach that produces the hunger stimulating hormone ghrelin. This means that after your procedure, your appetite is reduced. Weight loss starts as soon as you have had the operation. After 18 months, the sleeve stretches so it is important to maintain sensible portion sizes and not wait for the sleeve to stop you eating. If you eat the recommended foods (not soft or liquids), you will not feel hungry. After a gastric sleeve procedure you will need to take vitamins for life including quarterly B12 injections.
What is the procedure?
With this procedure, the structure of your stomach is changed and shaped like a sleeve, restricting the number of calories your body absorbs without affecting the function of the stomach. Before gastric sleeve surgery you’ll be given a general anaesthetic. The procedure is performed laparoscopically, using keyhole surgery, and usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Your weight loss surgeon will make several small cuts in your stomach and insert a long, thin telescope with a light and camera lens at one end, called a laparoscope and other surgical instruments to remove a large part of your stomach. Once removed, they will seal your pouch using staples into the shape of a narrow tube.
The purpose of a gastric is to help obese patients lose weight and turn to a healthier lifestyle. Your stomach will be divided; in two following the positioning of the adjustable and small pouch will be created above it.
What happens during a gastric sleeve procedure?
Before gastric sleeve surgery you’ll be given a general anaesthetic. The procedure is performed laparoscopically, using keyhole surgery, and usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Your weight loss surgeon will make several small cuts in your stomach and insert a long, thin telescope with a light and camera lens at one end, called a laparoscope and other surgical instruments to remove a large part of your stomach. Once removed they will seal your pouch using staples into the shape of a narrow tube.
The purpose of a gastric sleeve is to help obese patients lose weight effectively and turn to a healthier lifestyle. The reduced stomach has able to keep most of its functions and allows some iron and vitamins absorption.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Rapid, dramatic weight loss results
You will notice when you should stop eating and will feel full earlier
Minimally invasive. Does not require disconnecting or reconnecting of the intestines, also known as an intestinal bypass
The portion of the stomach that produces the hunger stimulating hormone (Gherlin) is removed, reducing appetite
The resulting smaller stomach is able to digest all foods normally
Faster recovery and smaller scars, as surgery is performed laparoscopically, also known as ‘keyhole’.
You will not suffer any nutritional loss, but will need iron and quarterly vitamin B12 supplementation
Very effective as a first stage treatment in high BMI patients (> 50-55 kg / m2)
No dumping syndrome as the pyloric portion of stomach is left intact
