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Gastric Sleeve

What is a Gastric Sleeve?

A gastric sleeve procedure, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight loss procedure that reduces the size of your stomach. By removing approximately 75-80% of the stomach, this surgery helps you feel full faster, significantly reducing your food intake and promoting weight loss.

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How Does Gastric Sleeve Surgery Help with Weight Loss?

Gastric sleeve surgery aids weight loss by restricting the amount of food you can eat at one time. The smaller stomach leads to earlier satiety, helping you to eat less and feel satisfied with smaller portions. Additionally, the surgery affects hormones like ghrelin, which is responsible for hunger, further reducing your appetite.

Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Right for You?

Gastric sleeve surgery may be a good option if you are significantly overweight and have not been successful with other weight loss methods such as diet, exercise, or medication. It is generally recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or for those with a BMI of 35 or higher who also have obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or hypertension.

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Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery​

One of the main advantages of gastric sleeve surgery is that it doesn’t involve rerouting the intestines, making it less invasive than other bariatric procedures like gastric bypass. It also offers significant weight loss—many patients lose 60-70% of their excess weight within the first year. This weight loss can lead to improvements or resolution of obesity-related health conditions and can help improve your overall quality of life.

Procedure Overview

During the surgery, which is performed laparoscopically, small incisions are made in the abdomen, and a large portion of the stomach is removed. The remaining stomach is shaped into a tube, limiting the amount of food you can eat at one time. The surgery typically takes 1-2 hours, and most patients stay in the hospital for 1-2 days after the procedure.

Minimally-Invasive Procedure

This procedure is typically available laparoscopically offers smaller incisions, faster recovery, and less pain compared to traditional surgery, with minimal scarring and quicker return to normal activities.

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What to Expect After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

After surgery, you’ll follow a strict post-operative diet, starting with liquids and gradually progressing to soft foods and eventually solid foods. It’s important to follow your healthcare team’s instructions closely to ensure proper healing and long-term success. You’ll also need to take vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies, as your reduced stomach size affects nutrient absorption.

Recovery and Results

Recovery from gastric sleeve surgery typically takes 2-4 weeks. Most patients can return to work and normal activities within this time, though more strenuous activities should be avoided for 6-8 weeks. Weight loss is most rapid in the first 6-12 months following surgery, with many patients achieving their goal weight within 1-2 years.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a powerful tool for weight loss, but long-term success depends on your commitment to lifestyle changes. This includes eating a balanced, healthy diet, exercising regularly, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. With the right support and dedication, gastric sleeve surgery can help you achieve and maintain significant weight loss.

How is a Gastric Sleeve Different From a Gastric Bypass?

Gastric sleeve surgery focuses solely on stomach reduction, which limits the amount of food you can eat and decreases hunger, but it does not involve rerouting the intestines, so nutrient absorption remains unaffected. Gastric bypass, however, creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes a portion of the small intestine, reducing both food intake and calorie absorption. While gastric bypass is highly effective for weight loss, it involves more malabsorption and requires more careful nutritional management compared to the gastric sleeve.

How is a Gastric Sleeve Different From a Duodenal Switch?

Gastric sleeve surgery removes 75-80% of the stomach, limiting food intake and reducing hunger without altering the intestines. Nutrient absorption remains intact, making it a simpler procedure with fewer long-term risks related to malabsorption. In contrast, the duodenal switch also removes part of the stomach but includes rerouting the small intestine, which combines restriction with significant malabsorption. This leads to more substantial weight loss but requires lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation due to reduced nutrient absorption.

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If you’re ready to take control of your health and explore whether gastric sleeve surgery is the right option for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our experienced team will help you understand the process, evaluate your health, and guide you on your weight loss journey.

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Gastric Sleeve

Frequently Asked Questions

Research has shown that nutrient deficiencies are common after bariatric surgery. Your body may not absorb or utilize nutrients in the same way, and your food intake is restricted. As a result, your requirements for vitamins and minerals are higher than they were before surgery. Once you undergo surgery, you are committing to taking the necessary supplements permanently. If vitamin and mineral deficiencies become severe, you could face very serious and potentially permanent complications.
Most patients can return to light activities within 1-2 weeks after surgery. However, it’s recommended to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least 4-6 weeks to allow your body to heal properly.
Your digestion will change after gastric sleeve surgery. You may experience changes in bowel movements, such as more frequent or softer stools. It’s important to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated to maintain regular digestion. Some patients may also experience constipation or gas, which can be managed through diet and hydration.
The time you will need off work depends on the nature of your occupation. If you have a physically inactive job, you can generally expect to return to work within 1-2 weeks, as by this time, the wounds will have healed and discomfort will be minimal. If your job is physically demanding, you may need a little more time before returning to work. Your stomach will typically take 6-8 weeks to heal, and during this period, you must follow special dietary guidelines closely, which may leave you feeling low on energy if your job involves physical exertion.
You can eat most foods, provided they don’t cause discomfort. However, since you will be consuming less food in general, it's important to prioritize foods that are rich in protein but low in fat and sugar. We encourage you to eat vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean meat, and fish. You will be provided with detailed nutritional information after your gastric sleeve surgery.

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