The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy — often called the sleeve — is performed by removing approximately 80 percent of the stomach. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch that resembles a banana.
Sleeve gastrectomy is one of many treatments Summit Health Bariatrics provides. Sleeve gastrectomy, which can be carried out on its own or in conjunction with gastric bypass surgery, can result in significant weight loss. Any inquiries you may have regarding a sleeve gastrectomy will be gladly addressed by the staff at Summit Health.
With the help of the sleeve gastrectomy weight-loss procedure, the stomach’s size is significantly reduced, which restricts how much food an individual can eat. With a stapling tool, a thin “sleeve” about the size of a banana is created during a procedure known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the size of the stomach. The stomach is removed from the body except for a small portion that is between 70 and 80 percent of its original size. Since the body can digest and absorb food and nutrients after surgery, this bariatric procedure is known as an absorptive procedure. The sleeve gastrectomy procedure cannot be reversed, in contrast to gastric bypass surgery.
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 greater impact, however, seems to be the effect the surgery has on gut hormones that impact a number of 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 terms of weight loss and improvement or remission of diabetes. There is also evidence that suggests the sleeve, similar to the gastric bypass, is effective in improving type 2 diabetes independent of the 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% for 3-5+ year data, and weight loss comparable to that of the bypass with maintenance of > 50%.
- Requires no bypass or re-routing of the food stream (RYGB).
- Involves a relatively short hospital stay of approximately 1-2 days.
- Causes favorable changes in gut hormones that suppress hunger, reduce appetite, and improve satiety.
Disadvantages
- Is a non-reversible procedure.
- Has the potential for long-term vitamin deficiencies.
- Complications include leaks, bleeding, damage to other organs, and others.
Please discuss complications with the team at Summit Health.
Learn how Michelle’s sleeve gastrectomy procedure changed her life
My experience with the team at Summit Health has been awesome. Since the beginning of the process for bariatric surgery, Dr. Stephen Archer and his team have been compassionate, educational and thoughtful. Everything from pre-operative nutrition education and guidance with Vanessa Vargas, RD, LD, to having all my questions and concerns with Dr. Archer and the surgery process answered and valued. I wasn’t sure that outpatient surgery would work for me. I had prior health issues but Dr. Archer was so gracious, patient, and understanding. He answered my questions, showed me comparative health data, and calmed my surgery fears.
On the day of outpatient surgery, I was so nervous, but my nurse, who was with me both preop and postop, was so kind and incredibly knowledgeable. She walked me through what was to come, what we were going to do after surgery and where we needed to be so I could go home the same day. Dr. Archer checked on me that night to make sure I was doing ok and also checked on me the following day.
The care and compassion of Dr. Archer and his team at Summit Health made this process seamless and easy to navigate. The aftercare has been awesome as well. The journey doesn’t stop with surgery. They make sure you are keeping up on your nutrition, exercise and aftercare for as long as you need.
Pricing
At Summit Health, you won’t have to choose between quality and cost. We offer some of the lowest prices in Oregon and the most experienced bariatric surgeons.
For more information, contact our Bariatric coordinator at 541-706-2349.