Sleeve Gastrectomy
What Is the Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve surgery, this form of bariatric surgery offers patients a more permanent solution to adjustable weight loss band surgery, as the actual size of a patient’s stomach is physically reduced by around 50-75% therefore limiting their food intake. The sleeve gastrectomy procedure offers patients many of the same benefits of other surgical weight loss solutions without the plethora of known side effects and complications, making the procedure extremely safe when performed by an expert bariatric surgeon.
During this type of procedure, a small, vertical sleeve shape in the stomach is created by using a stapling device, and the remainder of the stomach is removed. This results in the patient feeling fuller faster, limiting their amount of food intake. The removed portion of the stomach contains the hunger hormone ghrelin. The surgery therefore does result in significant loss of appetite.
Candidates for Sleeve Procedure
Though the sleeve gastrectomy was initially introduced solely as a staging surgery for extremely obese patients, the treatment is now available to a wider variation of individuals struggling with their weight because of the profound success of the surgery.
Good candidates for the sleeve procedure include any with the following:
- Body mass index over 35 (some patients with BMI lower than that can be considered under certain circumstances)
- Presence of medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint pains, among other obesity related problems
- Inability to lose weight or maintain weight loss
Minimally Invasive Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
At Pure Health, our bariatric surgeons perform the sleeve gastrectomy with the help of a laparoscopic camera.
Unlike the lap band procedure, a sleeve gastrectomy is permanent and does not require the need for additional adjustments, therefore eliminating complications including band slippage, foreign body erosion, and does not require the need to continuously undergo needle-induced checkups. This type of procedure does not involve any rerouting or reconnecting of the intestines as would normally be required as part of the gastric bypass or duodenal switch.
If you’d like to learn more about the sleeve procedure and other surgical weight-loss procedures in Los Angeles, contact Pure Health today.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is geared toward helping people who suffer from extreme obesity lose weight safely. Making the decision to undergo the sleeve procedure comes with many enjoyable benefits that can be noticed almost immediately. Aside from the obvious weight loss, benefits of opting to undergo the permanent gastric sleeve procedure include:
- Adjustment free – no need for continued tightening
- Immediate Results – most patients begin losing weight in the first week
- Surgery is performed laparoscopically
- No intestinal bypass
- Reduces Hunger Sensations (Feeling of fullness)
- Eliminates medical problems independent of weight loss very quickly
- Faster recovery and smaller scars
- Stomach portion that produces hunger stimulating hormone (Gherlin) is removed
Unlike the adjustable band procedure, undergoing gastric sleeve surgery does not involve implanting a medical device in the body, which eliminates the potential for device related complications down the road. The stomach in particular is known for rejecting foreign substances, which makes reparative surgery a must and increases the risk of the procedure. With the sleeve procedure, this risk is eliminated.
Sleeve Gastrectomy FAQ
When you’re considering bariatric surgery to help overcome problems relating to your weight, it’s very important to have an excellent understanding of your procedure and how it can benefit yourself. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that our bariatric surgeons hear often, including but not limited to;
The sleeve procedure is very safe when performed by an experienced bariatric surgeon in Los Angeles. As with all surgical procedures, some risk is apparent, though because of the minimal complications associated with this surgery, it is much safer than other weight loss solutions as there are no foreign objects permanently placed in the stomach as opposed to other adjustable band procedures.
Typical of most surgical procedures, recovery calls for the patient to slowly increase their activity for the first several days following the procedure. Over the course of the next several weeks, bruising, swelling, and discomfort will all diminish. Most patients are back to normal as soon as two weeks, though four weeks is the general rule of thumb.
The gastric sleeve is permanent, as it requires removing a portion of the stomach to make it smaller.
This depends on each individual. If you stick to a healthy diet and maintain a normal exercise regimen, there is no reason why you cannot reach your ultimate realistic weight loss goals
Call For Bariatric Surgery Los Angeles
The decision to undergo surgical treatment to regain control of a healthy lifestyle is extremely important, and should be made with the help of an experienced Los Angeles bariatric surgeon. If you’d like to learn more about the sleeve procedure and whether or not it might be a good surgery for you to explore, please contact Pure Health today to speak with an experienced bariatric surgeon about your ultimate weight loss goals. Remember, our doctors are trained professionals who place an extreme focus on providing patients with the highest level of care possible.
If you’d like to schedule your initial consultation today, please call 855.759.2626 to set up your appointment.
