Sleeve for Weight Loss
Why is the gastric sleeve so popular?
Patients usually lose about 50% to 60% of their excess body weight (25-30% of total body weight) after the surgery. Unlike other weight-loss surgeries, the gastric sleeve does not involve bypassing parts of the intestine or placing foreign objects in the body. This makes it a less invasive option with lower risks compared to gastric bypass.
Reducing Stomach Size
During the surgery, the stomach is made much smaller—about 70% to 80% smaller than its original size. This smaller stomach (approximately 60 to 80 cc, or about the size of a banana) means that patients feel full after eating much smaller meals, which helps them consume fewer calories.
Less Hunger
Less Hunger: The surgery also affects hormones that control hunger. It reduces the production of ghrelin, the hormone that makes you feel hungry, which can help patients eat less and lose weight more effectively.
Watch an animation of how we do a gastric sleeve.
Preservation of Pyloric Valve
The pylorus, which regulates stomach emptying, remains intact. The procedure avoids bowel rearrangement, reducing the risk of dumping syndrome, internal hernias and marginal ulcers.
The Procedure
The Procedure: Conducted through five small incisions and lasting about an hour, more than 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a banana-shaped stomach measuring 1-2 ounces (40-80 cc). This change maintains the stomach’s nerves and outlet valve, preserving its functions while reducing its volume.
Sleeve Surgery Recovery
Most patients stay in the hospital for one night. There’s no need for a tube down the nose, and many people can return to work and resume normal activities within two weeks. Some may even go back to lighter work sooner.
