Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Brooklyn NY

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A sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive surgical weight loss procedure that 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. It allows for normal digestion and absorption. Food consumed passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing it to be fully absorbed in the body.

Advantages of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

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• Promotes weight loss by restricting amount of food that can be eaten at any one time
• Reduces hunger since it removes the part of the stomach that produces the hunger stimulating hormone ghrelin
• Digestion occurs normally as the digestive system is not altered
• Does not cause malabsorption or nutritional deficiencies as it does not involve rerouting or bypassing the small intestine
• Less chance of developing ulcers than with gastric bypass surgery
• Dumping syndrome not likely to occur as the stomach outlet (pyloric valve) remains intact, unlike gastric bypass surgery
• Less complicated procedure than gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery
• Can usually be performed laparoscopically on extremely obese patients
• Does not require a gastric band being implanted into the body
• Does not require adjustments or fills as with a LAP-BAND or REALIZE Band
• Safer than a combined restrictive/malabsorptive weight loss surgery for patients who have many health problems
• May be converted to gastric bypass or duodenal switch if necessary for additional weight loss
• Expected excess weight loss for stand-alone procedure is 60 to 70% at two years

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Risks of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

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• As it is a purely restrictive weight loss procedure, inadequate weight loss or weight regain is more likely than with a procedure involving intestinal bypass
• With time, new smaller stomach pouch may stretch (also occurs with gastric bypass surgery)
• Although the gastric sleeve helps control hunger and limit amount of food that can be eaten at any one time, weight loss will not occur without a healthy, low-calorie diet and regular exercise (same as with other purely restrictive procedures such as LAP-BAND and REALIZE Band)
• If performed as the first part of a two-stage process, a second malabsorptive weight loss surgery such as the duodenal switch will need to be performed at a later time
• The surgery is not reversible as a portion of the stomach is permanently removed
• Leaks or bleeding may occur along the stomach stapling edge
• Procedure may not be covered by some insurance companies
• All surgery and anesthesia involves some level of risk including bleeding, blood clots, infection, pneumonia, or complications
• Lack of published data for long-term weight loss results

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