Surgical Weight Loss: Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Your Guide to Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Iowa

Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss option for people who have tried diet, exercise, or weight loss medication and still feel stuck. It is also called sleeve gastrectomy or metabolic surgery.

At Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, we focus on gastric sleeve surgery because it can help patients lose weight by limiting how much food the stomach can hold and helping reduce hunger. Our team provides care before and after surgery so you feel informed, prepared, and supported along the way.

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What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a type of bariatric surgery that makes the stomach smaller. During the procedure, the surgeon removes a large part of the stomach. The part that remains is shaped like a narrow sleeve.

This smaller stomach holds less food, which can help you feel full sooner. Gastric sleeve surgery can also lower the hunger hormone called ghrelin. This may help reduce appetite and make it easier to eat smaller portions.

Unlike gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve surgery does not reroute the intestines. Food still moves through the body in the normal order.

How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Helps with Weight Loss

Gastric sleeve surgery helps with weight loss in two main ways.

First, the smaller stomach limits how much food you can eat at one time. This helps with portion control.

Second, removing part of the stomach may reduce hunger signals. Many patients feel less hungry after surgery, which can make it easier to follow a healthy eating plan.

Gastric sleeve surgery is not a quick fix. It is a tool. Long-term success still depends on healthy habits, follow-up care, nutrition, and movement. 

On our weight loss surgery timeline page, we provide an overview of what to expect before, during, and after gastric sleeve surgery.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery & Recovery at a Glance

While each patient’s recovery is different, the typical timeline includes:

• Surgery: Approximately 45 minutes
• Hospital stay: One night
• Walking: The same day as surgery
• Return to work: Usually within one to two weeks
• Long-term follow-up: Ongoing for life

Your care team will provide personalized instructions based on your health, procedure, and recovery progress.

Why We Perform Gastric Sleeve Surgery For Weight Loss Over Other Kinds Of Bariatric Surgery

Iowa Weight Loss Specialists exclusively performs the gastric sleeve procedure for surgical weight loss. This type of weight loss surgery is preferred because it can support strong weight loss while keeping digestion more natural than some other bariatric surgeries.

Gastric sleeve surgery offers several benefits, including:

• Supports rapid weight loss through immediate appetite control
• Helps control portion sizes
• Does not require an implanted device
• Does not reroute the intestines
• May result in an average weight loss of 60% of excess weight in the first year
• Involves a short, 45-minute surgery with a one-night hospital stay
• Uses a minimally invasive approach with a short recovery time. Most patients return to work in 2 weeks
• Has a lower risk of some nutrition problems compared to surgeries that reroute the intestines
• Usually involves minimal post-operative pain, with pain medication typically needed for only 7–10 days after surgery
• Avoids food catching or a foreign body/plastic device, as can happen with Lap-Band surgery

Every patient is different, and successful outcomes are not guaranteed. Individual results may vary. Bariatric surgery is not right for everyone. Our team will help you understand your options and decide if gastric sleeve surgery may be a good fit.

Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Right for You?

Gastric sleeve surgery may be an option if you have obesity, weight-related health concerns, and have not had lasting success with diet, exercise, or medication alone.

Many candidates have a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with a condition such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pain, or fatty liver disease.

Because gastric sleeve surgery changes the size of the stomach, patients also need to be ready for long-term eating changes, follow-up care, and healthy lifestyle habits. 

Iowa Weight Loss Specialists can help you understand if gastric sleeve surgery is the right next step for your health.

Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Safe?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a major operation and carries potential risks. However, advances in minimally invasive techniques, surgical experience, and accredited bariatric programs have made metabolic and bariatric surgery safer than ever.

Today, bariatric surgery has a safety profile comparable to several commonly performed procedures, including gallbladder surgery and appendectomy. Choosing an experienced surgical team at an accredited center like Iowa Weight Loss Specialists can provide added confidence that nationally recognized standards for patient safety, quality care, and long-term follow-up are being followed.

Iowa Weight Loss Specialists is an MBSAQIP Accredited Comprehensive Center. Before surgery, our team will explain the potential benefits and risks, complete the necessary testing, and develop a care plan based on your individual health needs. 

Watch the video below featuring Dr. Eibes, our dedicated bariatric surgeon, to learn more about the Gastric Sleeve procedure. 

Patient Testimonials

Ready to Explore Bariatric Surgery in Iowa? Start With a Consultation

Our weight loss clinic team includes weight management providers, registered dietitians, and behavioral health experts who work together to ensure each patient feels prepared and supported throughout their weight loss journey. 

With both our surgical and medical weight loss programs, we work with you to modify behaviors so you can lose weight and keep it off permanently. 

If you are ready to learn more, our team is here to help.

Call 515-327-2000 to Get Started  Request a Consultation