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 width of a garden hose.
Surgery and Recovery
- Surgery takes about one hour
- One- to two-day hospital stay
- Two- to four-week recovery period
Benefits
- Quick weight loss -- patients can lose about 60 to 80 percent of their expected weight lost within 24 months after surgery
- Does not create malabsorption (the inability to absorb certain sugars, fats, proteins or vitamins from food)
Risks
- Suture-line leakage may occur
- Sleeve stricture may occur
- Sleeve gastrectomy surgery may cause bleeding
- Nausea and heartburn may occur
- Sleeve gastrectomy may cause vitamin B12 deficiency
Other Considerations
- Not reversible
- No “dumping” syndrome (where large amounts of sugar would cause diarrhea and sweating)
- Vitamins recommended (B12)
- No medication restrictions
- Liquid diet for one month