Gastric Sleeve

The gastric sleeve or sleevectomy is a lesser known procedure when compared with the gastric band and bypass operations. However, in a similar way to other weight loss surgeries, the gastric sleeve works to control and limit a person's intake of food by permanently reducing the capacity of the stomach.

The gastric sleeve is a non reversible operation and can be used as an alternative to or step towards a gastric bypass, however, most people find that the sleeve results in sufficient weight loss and therefore do not require further surgery.

A gastric sleeve is designed for people who wish to achieve significant weight loss or for those who have medical complications preventing them from having other surgeries such as the bypass. This weight loss surgery option is more aggressive then the gastric band however, and results in a faster rate of weight loss. Patients can expect to lose 30 – 50% excess weight in the first 12 months after their surgery.

The Sleeve is suitable for patients with a BMI of 35+. However, this operation may not always be the most suitable option; surgeons may recommend the band, bypass or other alternative treatments depending on an individual's needs.

The surgery

The gastric sleeve operation is usually performed as key-hole surgery. It is a longer and more complicated surgery to perform then the gastric band operation as it is a stomach reduction procedure. However, this surgery is not as complex as the gastric bypass as it does not require any rerouting or reconnecting of the intestines. After the operation, the stomach will function as normal but will have a smaller capacity than before.

The surgeon will vertically remove 75% of the stomach meaning that, physically, the stomach will only be able to manage and break down a significantly reduced amount of food which will lead to considerable weight loss. In addition to reducing stomach size, another consequence of this surgery is that the section of the stomach responsible for secreting the hormone Ghrelin is removed. Ghrelin is a hormone produced mainly by cells lining of the fundus of the stomach and epsilon cells of the pancreas that stimulates hunger. By reducing the amount of hunger hormone secreted, this operation works to significantly lessen the patient's appetite.

Unlike the gastric band, the sleeve cannot be cheated (by blending food etc) and it does not have the same food restrictions following surgery as the band does. For these reasons, many patients find it easier to get on with. It is however, similar to the bypass in the sense that it is irreversible.

This procedure requires patients to stay from 1 – 3 nights in hospital due to the nature of the surgery. One advantage that this surgery has over other weight loss options is that there is no need to take nutrient supplements as the stomach works as normal. However, before normal eating habits can resume, patients are required to follow strict diet requirements after the surgery for around 8 weeks.

Risks

As with all surgical procedures, there are always some risks involved and these can include:

• Anaesthesia complications
• Haematoma
• Infection

However, these risks are rare and regulatory pre-operation checks are carried out in order to reduce and prevent these conditions from materialising. Patients are also sometimes provided with a course of antibiotics as a precautionary measure after surgery.

For more information on this procedure all you have to do is ask our experts your question via the portal on the homepage. You can receive free, tailored advice relating to your individual needs within 60 minutes and there is no obligation.

Cost – from £11,000