Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in Atlanta, GA
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of your stomach to help you eat less, stay full longer, and promote weight loss. Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Brendon Curtis at Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute offer Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) for patients in Alpharetta and the Greater Atlanta area.
Make an appointmentWhat Is Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is a restrictive bariatric surgery offered to patients in Alpharetta, GA, that removes a portion of the stomach to significantly reduce its capacity. This allows patients to feel full sooner while eating smaller amounts of food. The procedure preserves the body’s natural digestion process, with no rerouting or rearrangement of the small intestine, making it a safe and effective weight loss option for patients seeking surgical care near Alpharetta.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
If you have a BMI of 40 or higher, you might be a good candidate for a gastric sleeve 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.
What to Expect
VSG is also commonly called laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) because it is performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. 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 laparoscopic 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
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 gastric 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
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 a gastric sleeve surgery may be necessary.
Testimonials
Top Gastric Sleeve Surgeons
in Alpharetta, GA
Michael Williams, MD, FACS, FASMBS, brings over 18 years of experience, and Brendon Curtis, MD, FACS, FASMBS, brings over a decade of experience in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery, including Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. They provide patient-centered surgical care at Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute for patients in Alpharetta and the Greater Atlanta area.
Dr. Michael Williams
Bariatric Surgeon
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Dr. Brendon Curtis
Bariatric Surgeon
Learn MoreFAQ’s
Is vertical sleeve gastrectomy reversible?
Gastric sleeve surgery is permanent, and reversal is not possible because part of your stomach is surgically removed and cannot be replaced.
Can I get pregnant after a vertical sleeve?
Yes. Pregnancy is possible after gastric sleeve, but most experts will recommend you wait at least twelve to eighteen months before trying to conceive to ensure your body has fully stabilized first.
Will I need to take vitamins after gastric sleeve surgery?
Yes, you will need to take supplemental vitamins after you have gastric sleeve surgery even though this procedure does not limit the absorption of nutrients like other types of bariatric surgery. Your body will still handle and absorb nutrients in a different way than before, so monitoring bloodwork and filling in nutritional gaps is necessary and important.
What happens if I develop acid reflux after surgery?
Some people notice that they develop acid reflux after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery or their existing reflux has become much worse. Most of the time, your doctor can help you manage this with changes in your diet or with medication. In severe cases, patients often convert their sleeve to gastric bypass.
Will gastric sleeve surgery affect my regular medications?
Sometimes the changes made to your body during bariatric surgery will affect the way your routine medications work, and some adjustments must be made. When you are considering undergoing bariatric surgery, it is very important to speak with your doctor about any medicines you take so they can review the list and determine if any changes need to be made.
Is the Gastric Sleeve Surgery Right for You?
To learn more about laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery and see if it’s the right choice for you, please contact us. We would love to help you find your way to a happier, healthier life.
Our Location
Alpharetta, GA
5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 223, Alpharetta, GA 30022
(770) 282-1322
Fax: (770) 500-3664
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Lunch break: 12 PM – 1 PM
Your Journey to Weight Loss Success Can Begin Today
We are committed to not only treating your immediate surgical needs but also helping you achieve lasting health by making informed decisions about your weight and establishing healthy habits. Our staff are excited to meet you and begin helping you with your weight loss journey!
