How Does The Sleeve Gastrectomy Work? | Gastric Sleeve Surgery

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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.

Finally, it is one of the few forms of surgery which can be performed laparoscopically in patients who are extremely overweight and this accounts for the rising popularity of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Perhaps the main disadvantage of this form of surgery is that it does not always produce the reduction in weight which people would wish for and, in the longer term, can result in weight regain. This is indeed true of any form of purely restrictive surgery, but is perhaps especially true in the case of the sleeve gastrectomy.

Because the procedure requires stapling of the stomach patients do run the risk of leakage and of other complications directly related to stapling. In addition, as with any surgery, patients run the risk of additional complications such as post-operative bleeding, small bowel obstruction, pneumonia and even death.

The risk of encountering any of these complications is however extremely small and varies from about 0.5 and 1%. Having said this, the risk of death from this form of surgery at about 0 .25% is extremely small.

As a general rule the vertical sleeve gastrectomy is best suited to individuals who are either extremely overweight or whose medical condition would rule out other forms of surgery. In the case of the former vertical sleeve gastrectomy would normally form the first of a two-part surgical plan, with further bariatric surgery being performed once the patient’s weight has fallen sufficiently to allow for other forms of surgery to come in to play.

Some facts about the vertical 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.

Advantages of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy:

• Although the stomach is reduced in size and the amount of food which can be eaten is restricted, the stomach otherwise functions normally.
• The major part of the stomach which produces hormones responsible for stimulating hunger is removed from the digestive system.
• The problem of dumping is avoided as the pylorus is retained.
• Minimizes the possibility of the patient developing ulcers.
• Avoids the problems associated with bypass forms of weight loss surgery including anemia, intestinal obstruction or blockage, osteoporosis and protein and vitamin deficiency.
• Provides a solution for patients with conditions which place them at an unacceptably high risk from other forms of bariatric surgery.
• Provides a laparoscopic solution to patients with a particularly high body mass index (BMI).

Disadvantages of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy:

• As this form of surgery does not provide any element of gastric bypass some patients may experience a disappointing weight loss or weight regain.High BMI patients will often require follow-up weight loss surgery to achieve their goal. Although this may be seen as a disadvantage by some patients, in many cases, this two procedure option not only produces the results that the patient wants but may also provide a lower overall risk for the patient. This is something which need to be discussed with your physician.
• Patients can slow weight loss if they do not stick to a strict diet following this form of surgery.
• Complications may occur as the result of stomach stapling.
• The procedure is not reversible as part of the stomach is permanently removed. It should be remembered though that the sleeve gastrectomy can be extended at a later date if required by performing additional bypass surgery.

The risks and complications of gastric sleeve surgery:

As with all forms of weight loss surgery, the vertical gastrectomy does carry risk and these will clearly vary from one patient to the next and must be discussed with your physician. Complications might include:

• Gastric leakage and fistula 1.0%
• Deep vein thrombosis 0.5%
• Non-fatal pulmonary embolus 0.5%
• Post-operative bleeding 0.5%
• Splenectomy 0.5%
• Acute respiratory distress 0.25%
• Pneumonia 0.2%
• Death 0.25%

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