Bariatrics

Gastric sleeve surgery (gastric sleeve)

Gastric sleeve surgery is recommended for patients with a body mass index (BMI) above 35.

The primary aim of the procedure is not aesthetic: in addition to weight loss following surgery, many obesity-related conditions are improved and in many cases cured. Examples include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, inability to conceive or joint wear and tear. Weight loss significantly reduces the likelihood of developing many types of cancer and improves self-esteem and confidence. Overall, patients who have had the surgery live longer and healthier lives.

The gastric sleeve surgery involves the removal of a large part of the stomach through a 2.5 cm, a 1.5 cm and two 5 mm incisions in the abdominal wall, through instruments inserted into the abdominal cavity. This leaves only a narrow "tube" of the stomach, about 2-3 cm in diameter and with a capacity of about 150 ml, so that the patient can only eat small amounts of food. The food eaten causes a feeling of fullness sooner and for longer. The patient also feels less hungry, because the stomach cells that produce the "hunger hormone" (ghrelin) are removed.

Patients usually lose 70-80% of their excess weight in 18-24 months after the procedure, but success requires lifestyle changes in addition to surgery.

Thanks to the modern laparoscopic surgical procedure, the hospital stay is short: patients can usually go home the morning of the second day after surgery and, if they are not doing physical work, they can return to work in 5 days.

Sleeve gastrectomy is the most commonly used surgical option for the treatment of obesity in the US, Canada and Asia, and the number of procedures performed is growing rapidly in the rest of the world. Its popularity is due to its effectiveness, which is close to that of gastric bypass, with a significantly lower risk of complications such as suture failure or internal hernia, and later hair loss, osteoporosis, iron deficiency, anaemia and vitamin deficiencies.