Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy has been demonstrated to provide equivalent or better weight loss than adjustable gastric banding (see ref 1-8), without the need for multiple follow up appointments, as are necessary for band fills (or unfills). There has never been a mortality associated with sleeve gastrectomy, and it is the operation which can be performed in less time than lap band or bypass (time under anesthesia is proportional to morbidity). I have recently performed the first three lap vertical sleeve gastrectomies in Washington, and am happy to provide this safe and effective option for surgical weight loss.

The operation works by removing the stretchy part of the stomach (greater curve/fundus) which reduces the amount that can be eaten, and reduces ghrelin. Ghrelin is produced in the fundus of the stomach and is a hormone that causes hunger. There is no foreign body present after vertical sleeve gastrectomy (it's called a "sleeve" because it looks like a shirt sleeve. In summary, the lap vertical sleeve gastrectomy is an effective stomach restrictive operation that doesn't require a slippable foreign body or any needle adjustments.

If you have questions about the lap vertical sleeve, please call (425) 361-6730

references:
1. Lee CM, Cirangle PT, Jossart GH. Vertical gastrectomy for morbid obesity in 216 patients: report of two-year results. Surg Endosc.2007 Mar 14; 21: 1810-1816.

2. Cottam D, Qureshi FG, Mattar SG, Sharma S, Holover S, Bonanomi G, Ramanathan R, Schauer P. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as an initial weight-loss procedure for high-risk patients with morbid obesity.

3. Silecchia G, Boru C, Pecchia A, Rizzello M, Casella G, Leonetti F, Basso N. Effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (first stage of biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) on co-morbidities in super-obese high-risk patients. Obesity Surg.2006 Sep;16(9):1138-44.

Surg Endosc. 2006 Jun;20(6):859-63. Epub 2006 Apr 22.
4 Regan JP, Inabnet WB, Gagner M, Pomp A. Early experience with two-stage laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as an alternative in the super-super obese patient. Obes Surg. 2003 Dec;13(6):861-4.

5.Himpens J, Dapri G, Cadière GB. A prospective randomized study between laparoscopic gastric banding and laparoscopic isolated sleeve gastrectomy: results after 1 and 3 years. Obes Surg. 2006 Nov;16(11):1450-6.

6.Ou Yang SO, Loi K, Jorgensen J, Talbot M. laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbidly obese patients. ANZ J Surg. 2007 May;77 Suppl 1:A45

7. Langer FB, Reza Hoda MA, Bohdjalian A, Felberbauer FX, Zacherl J, Wenzl E, Schindler K, Luger A, Ludvik B, Prager G, Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding: effects on plasma ghrelin levels.. Obes Surg. 2005 Aug;15(7):1024-9.

8. Serra C, Pérez N, Bou R, Bengochea M, Martínez R, Baltasar A. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. A bariatric procedure with multiple indications. Cir Esp. 2006 May;79(5):289-92.