Introduction:-

It is a minimally invasive surgical weight-loss procedure in which the stomach is reduced to about 20% of its actual size byremoving the baggy part of the stomach along with the biggercurve. This transforms the stomach to a tube or sleeve-like structure. This process diminishes the size of the stomach permanently, though there could be some expansion of the stomach later in life. It is performed laparoscopically and is irreversible.

How is Sleeve Gastrectomy performed?

It happens by making five or six tiny nicks in the abdomen and is performed with the help of the laparoscope. During this procedure, approximately 80 percent of the stomach is removed by firing endoscopic staplers one after the other, parallel to the lesser curvature of the stomach. At the end of it, the baggy part along the greater curve is disconnected, leaving behind a narrow gastric tube or ”sleeve” that extends from the food pipe to the first part of the duodenum (or end of stomach). The intestines are neither removed nor bypassed during this operation. This process takes 30 minutes to get done and is a preferred choice in higher risk patients, youngerpeopleand super-super obese patients.

How does Sleeve Gastrectomy aid in weight loss?

Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure and limits the amount of the intake of the food you eat by reducing the size of your stomach. You would feel full even after eating a small quantity of food.Additionally; it decreases Ghrelin, a hunger hormone produced by the stomach. GLP-1 is a hormone that is increased after the sleeve. This hormone is possibly responsible for the powerful anti-diabetic actions of the sleeve.

What are the benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Apart from the improvement in all the obesity-related complications, the sleeve dramatically improves the quality of your life. The hospitalization is typically for just one day. The patient walks from Day One and is encouraged to walk regularly, drive, bathe normally and do things like desk work, shopping, going to friends’ homes, and even office work.

Is Sleeve Gastrectomy a better choice for me?

For many super-super-obese patients (BMI>60) the sleeve is the first choice, with its high safety profile. In adolescents, kidney transplant patients and those with heart and liver conditions, it usually is the first choice as well. You must consult your doctor for the best choice for the bariatric surgical procedures.