Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The Gastric Sleeve Surgery or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) is a restrictive type of weight loss surgery that permanently reduces the size of the stomach. The Gastric Sleeve promotes weight loss by restricting food intake. The Bariatric surgeon removes approximately 60 to 80% of the stomach along the greater curvature, leaving only a small tube or sleeve which serves as the new stomach pouch. This long pouch extends from the entrance to the stomach (esophagus) to the exit or outlet of the stomach (pyloric valve). The procedure helps to limit the amount of food consumed by reducing the overall size of the stomach. The Gastric Sleeve also controls hunger by removing the part of the stomach that produces the hunger stimulating hormone Gherlin.

The advantages of the Gastric sleeve include:

Permanent reduction in the size of the stomach, technique used to create the sleeve prevents staple line failure, no implant of a foreign medical device, no mechanical device that can malfunction, ease of surgery makes it less risky for high risk patients such as super obese individuals, in the future a Gastric Bypass procedure can be performed easily if needed for additional long term weight loss maintenance.

The disadvantages include:

Only a restrictive procedure, not approved by Medicare and some insurance companies.