Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve)

The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes approximately 75% of the stomach, shaping the remaining stomach into a tube or “sleeve.”        

Pros

• Performed laparoscopically
• Average weight loss is 60% of excess in first year
• Rapid weight loss due to immediate appetite control
• Short, 45 minute surgery
• Short, 1-2 night, hospital stay
• Decreases Ghrelin appetite hormone
• Controls portion sizes
• Decreased pain (Usually pain medication is only needed for 7-10 days.)
• Shorter recovery time (Most return to work in 2-3 weeks.)
• Decreased nutritional deficiency because the intestine absorbs normally
• Eat much more naturally
• No food catching as in Lap-Band
• No foreign body or plastic as in Lap-Band
• No dumping as seen in gastric bypass
• Significantly lower complications than gastric bypass

    
Cons

• Permanent removal of 70-80% of the stomach (leads to permanent weight control)
• Potential stretching of sleeve (could be revised if necessary)
• Reflux (can increase heartburn so we repair any hiatal hernia that occurs)
• Limited long term data (most studies out to 5-8 years)

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