Gastric Sleeve

The gastric sleeve (or sleeve gastrectomy) is a popular and effective weight loss surgery where about 70-80% of the stomach is permanently removed, leaving a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. The procedure helps patients lose weight by restricting the amount of food they can eat, as the new, smaller stomach holds less food, leading to quicker satiety. Additionally, the surgery reduces the production of the hunger hormone ghrelin, which helps control appetite.

How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Works:

1. Stomach Reduction: The surgeon removes most of the stomach, leaving a tube-like or banana-shaped portion. This limits how much food can be consumed at one time.
2. No Intestinal Bypass: Unlike gastric bypass, this procedure doesn’t involve rerouting the intestines or causing malabsorption of calories and nutrients, making it less complex and with fewer risks of nutritional deficiencies.

Advantages of Gastric Sleeve:

• Significant Weight Loss: Patients typically lose 50-60% of their excess weight within the first year.
• Hunger Reduction: With a smaller stomach and less ghrelin production, patients feel less hungry.
• No Malabsorption: Since the intestines remain intact, there’s no malabsorption of nutrients, which reduces the need for lifelong supplements (though some may still be necessary).
• Simpler Procedure: It’s less complex than gastric bypass and has a lower risk of complications related to intestinal rerouting.