Sleeve Gastrectomy

The Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving behind only a “sleeve” of stomach. This small portion restricts the amount of food that a patient can eat and, therefore, leads to significant weight loss.  The sleeve gastrectomy is a purely restrictive procedure as it decreases intake without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption (unlike the Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass).  The outlet valve (pylorus) remains intact as to preserve the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. This is a laparoscopic procedure.

Advantages:

• Removes ghrelin cell mass, potentially causing loss of appetite
  
• Decreased or no malabsorption, compared to the RNY Bypass
  
• No need for adjustments

Disadvantages:

• Relatively new procedure, therefore less research is available
  
• Long-term weight loss results (greater than five years) are unknown
  
• Some insurance companies may not cover this procedure

Risks of Sleeve Gastrectomy:

• GERD 
  
• Nausea/Vomiting
  
• Leak
  
• Bile Reflux
  
• Infection
  
• Bleeding
  
• Vitamin Deficiencies