Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes approximately 85% of the stomach, and then shapes the remaining stomach into a tube or “sleeve”. This effectively restricts the stomach capacity to about 60–100cc at any time but without affecting its function and is the only bariatric procedure that has no malabsorption and no foreign body issues.
The Sleeve Gastrectomy was originally developed as the first of a two-stage duodenal switch procedure in patients who were seriously obese and for whom the risks of a long operation were considered too high. However, the sleeve gastrectomy is now being used by as a single-stage weight loss procedure.
Advantages:
- Patients feel full after a very small amount of food and therefore lose weight because they eat less without pangs of hunger.
- Hunger is positively affected because the stomach is now limited in its capacity to produce Ghrelin which is a substance that affects how you feel and relieve hunger.
- The rest of the gastrointestinal tract is not altered allowing the food ingested to follow a normal course. There is therefore less chance of developing vitamin and mineral deficiency and eliminates “dumping” syndrome.
- Minimize the chance of developing ulcers.
- Fewer office visits as there is no need for band size adjustments as with the Lap Band.
- As with all weight loss surgery, by losing significant weight patients usually feel physically and mentally better. Pre-operative problems such as diabetes, hypertension, stress incontinence, back pain, knee pain, heel pain, sleep apnoea and other complications of obesity are usually either improved or eliminated altogether.
Disadvantages/Risks:
- Stomach will have a long staple line which could leak and/or haemorrhage
- Procedure cannot be reversed
- Amount of weight lost may be disappointing in some cases
- Weight re-gain can be a problem after two to three years
- You will need to stay in hospital for a couple of days following surgery.
You need to…
- Be committed to losing weight. It will change how you eat.
- Have regular blood tests
- Take your vitamin supplements
- Attend your follow-up appointments
The Results:
- Patient typically lose between 50% of excess body weight.