What is a Gastric Sleeve?

Gastric Sleeve or Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure, not a malabsorptive procedure.

The Gastric Sleeve – often called sleeve gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is an operation which facilitates weight loss by permanently reducing the size of the stomach. During this procedure the left side of the stomach is surgically removed. Hunger is controlled because a portion of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone Ghrelin is removed. Stomach stapling is then used to create a gastric sleeve. This results in a new stomach which is roughly the size and shape of a banana. Since this operation does not involve any rerouting or reconnecting the intestines, it is a simpler and reportedly safer operation than the gastric bypass. Gastric Sleeve surgery does not bypass any part of the stomach or small intestine and the digestive system is allowed to function normally. Unlike the LAP-BAND® or REALIZE™ procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy does not require the implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen and adjustments or fills are not required.

Gastric Sleeve at TLCEdge is the latest development in Weight Loss Surgery

The Gastric Sleeve is not really a new procedure.

Bariatric Surgeons have been performing VSG for quite some time as the first part of a two step process. For patients who were severely obese (BMI over 60) and who were too ill to undergo the more complicated gastric bypass surgery, doctors would perform VSG first, let the patient lose weight and recover, then complete the more risky bypass procedure. In recent years, the procedure has become a stand-alone procedure with results similar to the LAP-BAND® or REALIZE™ Band.

Who should consider the Gastric Sleeve?

Those who are concerned about the potential long term side effects of an intestinal or gastric bypass such as intestinal obstruction, ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency.
Those who are considering a LAP-BAND® or REALIZE™ Band but are concerned about a foreign body inside the abdomen.
Those who have medical problems that prevent them from having some forms of weight loss surgery such as anemia, Crohn's disease, Lupus, extensive prior surgery, and other complex medical conditions.
People who need to take anti-inflammatory medications may also want to consider this. Usually, these medications need to be avoided after a gastric bypass because the risk of ulcer is higher.
Patients with Gastric Band complications (see below)

How much will I lose?

Short term results show that Gastric Sleeve patients who have had the stand-alone procedure can expect to achieve a 60 to 70% excess weight loss at 2 years⁵.

Advantages of the Gastric Sleeve

It does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines
There is no malabsorption of nutrients therefore avoiding anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency.
It is technically a much simpler, and thus much safer, operation than the gastric bypass.
There is no foreign body implanted.
It does not need adjustments or fills (LAP-BAND® AND REALIZE™ Band patients must come back for fills).
Preserves the pyloric valve (most patients should not get dumping syndrome).
It may be a safer operation for patients with a body mass index (BMI) more than 60. It may be used as the first stage of a 2-stage operation.

Disadvantages of the Gastric Sleeve

The procedure is not reversible.
The procedure is slightly riskier than the Gastric Banding procedure.
The most common complaint is some leakage immediately after surgery which may require the use of a temporary drain – this has been reported to happen in approximately 1 in 100 cases.

Minimally Invasive Procedure

The Gastric Sleeve surgery is performed laparascopically at Prestonwood Surgery Center in Plano. The patient may be required to remain in the center for slightly less than 24 hours for observation following surgery.

Cost of the Gastric Sleeve

Some insurance companies now cover the Gastric Sleeve though this number remains very small. Most Gastric Sleeve patients will be cash or self pay patients.

Call today to find out more about Sleeve Gastrectomy and our financing options.

SILS ^TM Procedure

TLCEdge offers the Gastric Sleeve using single incision surgery for the least amount of visible scarring possible. See our SILS page for details and cost information.

Gastric Band Revisions

If a patient has had a previous LAP-BAND® or REALIZE™ Band procedure and is experiencing problems such as reflux, esophagitis, band erosion, band slippage, port site infection then he or she may be a candidate for "revision" surgery. The term “revision” is applied when one weight loss procedure is converted or transformed into another one. This means removing the Gastric Band and performing a Gastric Sleeve procedure. Patients in this category are very concerned about regaining their already lost weight and they may greatly benefit with the Gastric Sleeve procedure.

1. Mervyn Deitel & Ross D. Crosby & Michel Gagner. The First International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), New York City, October 25–27, 2007, OBES SURG (2008) 18:487–496