What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Restrictive Surgical Technique:
Sleeve gastrectomy, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a restrictive surgical technique to combat obesity. The procedure involves removing approximately 80% of the stomach along its greater curvature, leaving a smaller vertical tube in place.
Simple and Effective Functioning:
- Reduction of stomach size: a tubular gastric pouch is created.
- Decreased production of the ghrelin hormone: responsible for the feeling of hunger.
- Restriction of food intake: the feeling of satiety comes more quickly.
Two Possible Types of Intervention:
- Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: preferred minimally invasive technique using small incisions.
- Open sleeve gastrectomy: more invasive technique using a larger incision.
Substantial and Sustainable Weight Loss:
Sleeve gastrectomy allows for significant and sustainable weight loss, reaching up to 60 to 80% of excess weight in 1 to 2 years.
Improvement of Obesity-Related Comorbidities:
Weight loss following sleeve gastrectomy also leads to a significant improvement in obesity-related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and lipid disorders.
Who Is It For?
Sleeve gastrectomy is an option for people with morbid obesity (BMI over 40) or severe obesity (BMI over 35) with weight-related comorbidities who have not been able to lose weight by other means.
Advantages:
- Significant and sustainable weight loss
- Improvement of obesity-related comorbidities
- Effective and durable technique
- Less invasive surgery than gastric bypass
Sleeve gastrectomy is an effective surgical technique for weight loss and improving the quality of life for people with morbid obesity. However, it is important to be well informed and to be supported by a specialized medical team.
