Sleeve Gastrectomy
If you've reached the point where you want to find out more about Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery, then you're already on the right path. Being a well-informed patient is the best way you can help yourself achieve your weight loss goals. Below is more information about the human digestive system and sleeve gastrectomy. There is also a video that will give you an idea of what the surgery looks like.

Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric surgery. It limits the amount of food you can eat and helps you feel full sooner. In this procedure, a thin, vertical sleeve of stomach is created and the rest of the stomach is removed. The sleeve is about the size of a banana.

Sleeve gastrectomy historically was performed in patients with a body mass index, or BMI, of 60 or higher. It was performed as the first procedure in a two-part treatment that also included an intestinal bypass. Now the sleeve gastrectomy is performed as a single procedure for weight loss for anyone who qualifies for surgery. One advantage of the Sleeve is that it can be done laparoscopically even in larger patients. Patients who may not qualify for the other procedures, such as patients with peptic ulcer disease or severe arthritis requiring certain medications may qualify for the sleeve.

Sleeve gastrectomy can lead to significant weight loss and improved health
Sleeve gastrectomy patients have been shown to experience significant weight loss and improvements in their health. The average patient lost 55 percent of their excess weight.

Sleeve gastrectomy patients experienced resolution rates for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obstructive sleep apnea that were similar to resolution rates for other restrictive procedures, such as gastric banding.

The sleeve gastrectomy procedure
The majority of weight loss sleeve gastrectomies performed today use a laparoscopic technique, which is considered minimally invasive. Laparoscopic surgery usually results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars and less pain than open surgical procedures.

The length of time of the surgery varies. One study found that the average operative time was 1.5 to 3.5 hours, and the average hospital stay was two to five days. Patients usually return to normal activities in two weeks and are fully recovered in three weeks.