Sleeve Gastrectomy

What is a Sleeve Gastrectomy?
A sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) is a minimally invasive bariatric surgery designed to treat obesity and related medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach by removing approximately 70% to 80% of its volume, leaving behind a narrow, sleeve-shaped tube.

How Does the Procedure Work?
Performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia, the surgeon removes a large portion of the stomach without altering or rerouting the digestive tract or intestines. The removed area includes the tissue that produces ghrelin, the primary hormone responsible for hunger signals. This immediate reduction in ghrelin significantly decreases appetite and food cravings while restricting overall intake capacity.

Who is a Candidate for Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Ideal candidates are individuals seeking to treat obesity and health conditions caused by excess weight who have not achieved sustainable results through diet and exercise alone. Candidates must be committed to adopting healthy long-term eating habits and dietary guidelines post-surgery.

Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy
- High efficacy in achieving significant long-term weight loss.
- Helps treat and control obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
- Preserves the natural digestive process without intestinal bypass or rerouting.
- Lower risk of long-term surgical complications compared to other procedures like lap-band or gastric bypass.

Post-Treatment Care and Recovery
The procedure takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour and requires 48 hours of hospitalization. Patients undergo a fast recovery, typically needing 5 days of initial rest and being able to return to work in 10 days. Following the prescribed post-operative diet is mandatory to minimize complications and adapt to smaller, healthy food portions.