The Gastric sleeve, or Sleeve gastrectomy, is a restrictive procedure, which reduces the volume of the stomach and involves no reconfiguration of the intestines.
Sleeve gastrectomy is the most common Bariatric procedure performed worldwide. Gastric sleeve surgery also makes patients less hungry because the portion of the stomach which is removed contains the cells that release the appetite controlling hormone Ghrelin.
12- 18 months after a Sleeve gastrectomy, weight loss ranges from 60-70% of your excess weight before surgery. So, on average, a typical patient who is 50 kilograms overweight will lose 30 – 35 kilograms.
Currently the published data suggests that the risk of complications with a Gastric sleeve is similar to that of a Gastric bypass. The evidence suggests that the long-term weight loss is less than that of the Gastric bypass.
Using keyhole surgery and advanced stapling devices, most of the fundus & the body of the stomach are permanently removed and the capacity of your stomach is reduced by approximately 85%. This turns your stomach into narrow tube, approximately 1cm in diameter, which has a volume of less than 100mls.
Patients stay in hospital two nights and will usually return to work within two weeks, however, each patient is different.
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus may be cured in up to 80% of patients, within months of surgery.
- High blood pressure is cured in approximately 34% of patients, with a reduction in medication for the remainder.
- 77% of the patients experience resolution or improvement of high cholesterol.
- Obstructive sleep apnoea is controlled in up to 54% of patients.
- Normal gastric emptying is also preserved, because the pylorus is left intact so there is no risk of Dumping Syndrome, often associated with Gastric Bypass surgery.
- Less risk of vitamin deficiencies when compared to gastric bypass surgery.
- It is a non-reversible procedure.
- There is 1-2% risk of leakage staple line where the stomach has been removed. The high pressure in the gastric tube means a leak can be challenging to manage.
- As Gastro-oesophageal reflux can develop after surgery in up to 1 in 5 patients, it is not recommended for patients with pre-existing Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.