Sleeve Gastrectomy

The sleeve gastrectomy is an operation in which the left side of the stomach is surgically removed. This results in a new stomach which provides restriction. Since this operation does not involve any "rerouting" or reconnecting of the intestines, it is a simpler operation than the gastric bypass.

Unlike the LAP-BAND® procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy does not require the implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen. Also, patients do not have to come in for adjustments. Patients are losing 60% of their excess weight at 2 years. This is slightly better result than the Lap-band.

Historically, those with body mass index greater than 60 may have had the sleeve gastrectomy as the first part of a 2-stage operation for the duodenal switch. Surgeons have found that just doing the sleeve gastrectomy portion only resulted in significant weight loss and many did not need the intestinal bypass portion of the duodenal switch.

Currently, the sleeve gastrectomy is being offered as a primary weight loss operation for BMIs greater than 30. PACNUT and Puget Sound Surgical Center is fortunate to be the center with the most experience with Sleeve Gastrectomy in Washington State.

What Are the Advantages of the "Sleeve Gastrectomy"?

• The sleeve gastrectomy has a number of advantages over other bariatric procedures:
• It does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines
• t is a technically simpler operation than the gastric bypass
• It may be a safer operation for patients with a body mass index (BMI) more than 60.
• Its Recover and complication rate is similar to the LAP-BAND procedure