A Restrictive Procedure
The sleeve gastrectomy is an operation in which the left side of the stomach is surgically removed, leaving the stomach roughly the size and shape of a banana. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve remain intact in order to preserve the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. By comparison, in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is divided, not removed and can be reconnected (reversed) if necessary. There is no intestinal bypass with this procedure, only stomach reduction.
Advantages
- Sleeve gastrectomy involves no malabsorption of nutrients therefore avoiding anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency.
- This is the only surgery that substantially removes the "hunger hormone," Ghrelin.
- It does not need adjustments or fills.
- As this procedure may be used as the first stage of a two-stage operation, it may be a safer for patients with a body mass index (BMI) more than 60.
- The chances of an ulcer occurring are minimized.
Risks
- This procedure involves stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur.
- Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can be converted to almost any other weight loss procedure.
- The smaller portion of the stomach may stretch.
- Foods that you eat now may cause discomfort, nausea or vomiting after your surgery.
- Gastric surgery puts you at higher than normal risk of developing gallstones and gallbladder disease.