Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastractomy

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastractomy is a relatively new weight loss operation that is slowly becoming the procedure of choice among the Asian community of surgeons due to the simple nature of this surgery and its ability to produce comparable results as far as resolution of diabetes and other co-morbidities are concerned. This procedure can be done either as a standalone procedure for those who doesn’t have much weight to lose, for those who are older or higher risk, or as part of a staged operation.

How does the surgery produce weight loss?

The reduction of the size of the stomach, results in restrictive weight loss. As a result, patients feel full after a very small amount of food, and therefore lose weight because they eat less, and they are happy eating less. There are also significant effects on the hunger mechanisms that make the weight loss seen with the Sleeve Gastactomy even better than would be seen just with a small stomach pouch. Hunger is favorably affected because there is a reduced capacity to produce Ghrelin, a substance that plays a role in how you feel and relieve hunger

The Operation

The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a bariatric procedure in which the surgeon removes approximately 85% of the stomach, shaping the remaining stomach into a tube or "sleeve".

What are the advantages of the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

1. During the laparoscopic gastric sleeve the nerves of the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) are not altered, preserving the function of the stomach. The surgery is uncomplicated and carries lesser intraoperative risk and faster to perform.

2. The rest of the gastrointestinal tract anatomy is not altered, so the food ingested follow the normal course. This results in less chance of developing lack of vitamins and minerals and eliminates dumping syndrome.

3. Minimize the chance of developing ulcers.

4. No need for band size adjustments.