Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a type of bariatric surgery that is restrictive in nature. It removes part of the stomach to reduce the capacity, allowing patients to feel full while eating smaller quantities of food. The natural digestion process is maintained and there is no rearrangement of the small intestine.
If you have a BMI of 40 or higher, you might be a good candidate for a sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This typically means you are about 100 pounds over the ideal weight for age, sex, and height. If you have a BMI between 30 and 40 and have other health conditions related to your weight (such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea), you may also be a good candidate.
Your doctor will let you know if this is a good bariatric surgery option for you.
Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Procedure
On the day of your procedure, you will be admitted to the hospital and put under general anesthesia. The gastric sleeve surgeons will make five small incisions in your abdomen. These incisions will be used to insert the surgical tools.
These tools will be used to remove a portion of your stomach. Then, the surgeon will close your stomach into a shape that resembles a tube, banana, or shirt sleeve. This type of bariatric surgery does not involve altering the small intestine as with other surgeries. The entire procedure will take about 2 hours and you will need to spend the night in the hospital.
Benefits of a Gastrectomy Sleeve
By having a smaller stomach, you are able to feel full after just a few ounces of food. This helps you to consume fewer calories, therefore leading to weight loss. A gastrectomy sleeve may be considered a primary weight loss surgery if it is used to lose weight before having a more extensive type of surgery. This is because it is very low risk with less side effects, especially if you also have other weight-related health conditions. After 2 years, most patients can expect to lose 40-50% of their body weight.
Risks of a Gastrectomy Sleeve
Any surgery that requires the use of general anesthesia has a risk for heart or brain damage, but these risks are very low. With a laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy, you have a 5-10% chance of leakage, bleeding, blood clots, infection, and malnutrition. This is why it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and check in with your doctor regularly. In rare cases, a revision of gastric sleeve surgery may be necessary.
The Sleeve Gastrectomy Atlanta Residents Trust
To learn more about laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery and see if it’s the right choice for you, please contact us. We have four offices throughout the Atlanta metro area so we are able to serve you wherever you are. Please reach out to us online or call your nearest location to schedule a consultation. We would love to help you find your way to a happier, healthier life.