|
Gastric
Sleeve
(Vertical
Sleeve
Gastrectomy)
The gastric sleeve is the lastest weight loss
procedure that shows promising results. By
restricting food absorbtion and reducing hunger the gastric
sleeve might be your best option. Please consult with
our surgeon or staff to find out if this is the best
procedure for you. Advantages of gastric sleeve
include lower cost, less dumping, fewer complications and
does not require adjustments after the initial surgery.
How Does The Gastric Sleeve Work?
The vertical sleeve
gastrectomy is a
restrictive form of
weight loss surgery in
which approximately
85% of the stomach is
removed leaving a
cylindrical or sleeve
shaped stomach with a
capacity ranging from
about 60 to 150 cc,
depending upon the
surgeon performing the
procedure. Unlike many
other forms of
bariatric surgery, the
outlet valve and the
nerves to the stomach
remain intact and,
while the stomach is
drastically reduced in
size, its function is
preserved. Again,
unlike other forms of
surgery such as the
Roux en Y gastric
bypass, the sleeve
gastrectomy is not
reversible.
Because the new
stomach continues to
function normally
there are far fewer
restrictions on the
foods which patients
can consume after
surgery, albeit that
the quantity of food
eaten will be
considerably reduced.
This is seen by many
patients as being one
of the great
advantages of the
sleeve gastrectomy, as
is the fact that the
removal of the
majority of the
stomach also results
in the virtual
elimination of
hormones produced
within the stomach
which stimulate
hunger.
Perhaps the greatest
advantage of the
gastric sleeve lies in
the fact that it does
not involve any bypass
of the intestinal
tract and patients do
not therefore suffer
the complications of
intestinal bypass such
as intestinal
obstruction, anemia,
osteoporosis, vitamin
deficiency and protein
deficiency. It also
makes it a suitable
form of surgery for
patients who are
already suffering from
anemia, Crohn's
disease and a variety
of other conditions
that would place them
at high risk for
surgery involving
intestinal bypass.
Facts
about the gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy:
Alternative names: vertical sleeve
gastrectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, greater
curvature gastrectomy, parietal
gastrectomy, gastric reduction and
vertical gastroplasty.
Surgery for high BMI patients. For
patients with a particularly high body
mass index (typically 50+) many forms of
weight loss surgery are either difficult
to perform or present increased risk. As
a result, a vertical sleeve gastrectomy
(or increasingly a laparoscopic sleeve
gastrectomy) is sometimes performed as
the first of a two-part weight loss
solution to provide an initial drop in
weight which then makes other bariatric
follow up possible at a reduced level of
risk.
Surgery for low BMI patients. For
obese patients with a relatively low
body mass index the vertical sleeve
gastrectomy can also prove a good
choice, especially where existing
conditions (such as anemia or Crohn's
disease) prevent them from having other
forms of bariatric surgery. In addition,
patients may choose this form of surgery
if they are concerned about the
long-term affects of bypass surgery or
object to having a 'foreign' body
implanted into their body, as is the
case with lap band surgery.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery
During
sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon will
remove the larger, rounded part of the
stomach.
- The
remaining stomach looks like a
sleeve (or hose or tube) and holds
about 15 percent as much food as
the original stomach.
- The
surgeon will remove the larger,
rounded part of the stomach from
the body. (This is the only gastric
surgery in which part of the
stomach is taken out of the body.)
- Unlike gastric bypass, which
changes stomach openings, sleeve
gastrectomy leaves the openings
intact.
- It
may be a safer and more effective
option than gastric bypass for
patients with very high BMI, those
with medical problems like anemia,
Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis,
extensive prior surgeries and other
complex medical conditions.
Advantages
- Sleeve gastrectomy may be safer
than gastric bypass for patients
who have a number of health risks.
- It
lowers the risk of ulcers compared
to gastric bypass.
- The
surgery cuts away the part of the
stomach that produces grehlin, a
stomach hormone that stimulates
hunger.
- Though the stomach is smaller, the
openings are left intact, so
digestion can go on as normal.
- The
body is free of foreign objects
like the LAP-BAND®
or Realize Band.
- 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
Risks
- Sleeve gastrectomy is more common
in Europe, but most American health
insurance carriers still consider
it an investigational procedure and
do not cover the cost. But that is rapidly changing so please
consult our office to see if your insurance will cover the gastric sleeve.
- Anytime you have anesthesia or
surgery, there is a risk of blood
clots, other complications or
death.
- Do
not smoke. Smoking would put you at
high risk for infection, blood
clots, slow healing and other
life-threatening complications.
- Complications can occur with the
stapling, such as leaks or
bleeding.
- You
may need malabsorptive surgery –
intestinal bypass or duodenal
switch – in addition to your sleeve
gastrectomy in order to lose all
the weight you need and want to
lose.
- The
smaller portion of the stomach may
stretch.
- Foods that you eat now may cause
discomfort, nausea or vomiting
after your surgery.
- Gastric surgery puts you at higher
than normal risk of developing
gallstones and gallbladder disease.
- You
will not lose weight or maintain
your weight loss unless you eat a
healthy diet and exercise
regularly. This is the reason we
stress long-term follow-up with our
center and your doctor.
|
 |
