Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy or Tube Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that limits the amount of food you eat by reducing the size of your stomach.

During this procedure, a thin vertical sleeve of stomach is created using a surgical stapling device via keyhole surgery. This sleeve will typically hold between 50-150ml; which is about the size of a banana. The rest of the stomach is removed. The newly created gastric sleeve is able to hold approximately 1/10th of what the stomach was able to hold before.

The stomach sleeve restricts the amount of food you can eat and makes you feel full with a small meal. It also reduces hunger.

Success of Gastric Sleeve

Weight loss is very good from Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tube Gastrectomy). Generally this is more than 60% of excess weight.

As with the gastric band procedure, you need to eat slowly and chew well. The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tube Gastrectomy) is perhaps a little less demanding in this regard (compared to the Gastric Band) in the long run, although the first 6 weeks can be quite difficult.

Risks of Sleeve Gastrectomy

The main risk of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tube Gastrectomy) surgery is leakage from the staple line. Although not common (1%), it can be a serious complication. As with any other surgery, surgery for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tube Gastrectomy) can cause bleeding and infection, as well as general medical complications. These are possible but infrequent.

Reflux (heartburn/indigestion) is a common side effect after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Tube Gastrectomy) and may require medication. This usually settles after 6 months.

Again, risks will be discussed in more detail by the surgeon.

Advantages of Sleeve Gastrectomy

Limits the amount of food that is eaten at a meal
Food passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing vitamins and nutrients to be fully absorbed into the body
No post-operative adjustments are required
60-70 % Excess Body Weight Loss

Disadvantages of Sleeve Gastrectomy

Irreversible changes to anatomy
Longer operating time and hospital stay (3-4 nights)
Complications may include a leak from sleeve staple line (1%) which would prolong hospital stay and may require further intervention

Dietetic requirements of Sleeve Gastrectomy

A healthy, balanced eating plan is recommended with focus on portion control
Nutritional significance of this procedure is greater than the gastric band, with a greater risk of thiamine, iron, folate, B12 and zinc deficiencies due to the smaller volume of food tolerated
Possibly less food intolerances than that experienced with the gastric band and regurgitation is rare
At least 6-12 monthly review of nutritional adequacy (including annual blood tests) to ensure maintenance of adequate nutritional health