Gastric sleeve surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy, involves removing a large portion of the stomach, reducing its volume to about 85–150 ml. This bariatric procedure helps limit food intake and triggers early fullness. The smaller stomach also produces fewer hunger hormones, lowering appetite.
Unlike gastric bypass, the digestive tract remains unchanged. As obesity rates rise, this popular weight-loss surgery is being performed more often worldwide for lasting weight loss results.
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Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is typically recommended for adults aged 18 to 65 with a BMI of 35 or higher, especially those with morbid obesity who haven’t succeeded with diet and exercise alone, or other weight loss methods. However, this bariatric procedure may not be suitable for patients with severe acid reflux, heartburn, or those whose weight gain is mainly due to high-calorie liquids like sweet drinks or alcohol.
Proper evaluation is essential to ensure safe and effective weight loss results and minimize complication rates
Gastric sleeve surgery—also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)—is a highly effective bariatric procedure. Most patients lose 60–70% of their excess weight within two years. The sleeve gastrectomy offers several advantages over other types of weight-loss surgery:
Beyond rapid weight loss, this weight-loss surgery can improve many obesity-related conditions, including:
Specialists in visceral surgery oversee patient care, while gastroenterology manages surgery procedures of the digestive tract. Bariatric surgeries, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomies, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch, are key metabolic and bariatric surgery options for obesity and medical conditions like type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea.
Dedicated obesity centers, use BMI and body mass index to assess eligibility, minimize complication risks, and provide comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment and long‑term aftercare. These bariatric surgery procedures reduce the amount of food intake, change stomach size and shape—sometimes to the shape of a banana—helping patients lose enough weight safely under general anesthesia.
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery, also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), is one of the most commonly performed weight-loss surgeries for patients with morbid obesity and medical conditions related to obesity. A number of preliminary examinations must be carried out before the operation. These include an esophagoscopy, gastroscopy and duodenoscopy, as well as ultrasound of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas.
This minimally invasive procedure is performed under general anesthesia using laparoscopic or robotic surgery, leaving only small scars and allowing faster recovery compared to open surgery.
The surgical procedure takes about an hour. The surgeon inserts the surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity through small incisions in the abdominal wall and fills it with gas (carbon dioxide). This creates more space in the abdominal cavity and gives the surgeon a better view of the operating area.
During the sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the surgeon removes the portion of the stomach along the greater curvature, creating a smaller stomach shaped like a tube—the stomach after sleeve gastrectomy often resembles the shape of a banana. The staple line seals the remaining stomach, reducing the amount of food intake and inducing excess weight loss. This helps patients achieve rapid weight loss, maintain a healthy weight, and improve related health conditions.
In vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) weight loss surgery, beyond general anesthesia risks, complication rates include:
This minimally invasive gastric sleeve procedure is not reversible. Temporary vitamin, mineral, and protein deficiencies may occur but can be managed with nutritional advice and diet and exercise.
There may also be an increased incidence of gallstones, food intolerances, and weight regain if the stomach after sleeve gastrectomy dilates. Long‑term complications can also occur, as with other types of weight‑loss surgery like gastric bypass surgery.
After laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, most patients return to work in about three weeks; avoid heavy lifting for four to six weeks to reduce complication risk. This surgery procedure is part of metabolic and bariatric surgery and is typically performed under general anesthesia for patients with obesity and related medical conditions.
For the first four weeks, follow a liquid or pureed diet, then gradually introduce soft foods and solids. The amount of food remains small because the stomach’s size and shape. A gastric sleeve does not replace healthy habits; long‑term success depends on a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI).
Multivitamin supplements and vitamin/iron injections are often advisable. Lifelong aftercare and nutritional advice support sustainable weight loss and prevent deficiencies.
Recommendations:
Use caution with stomach‑irritating drugs (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid, NSAIDs like ibuprofen); gentler options include paracetamol or tramadol. Alcohol effects may be stronger due to the smaller stomach. Blood donation is generally not advised due to possible iron deficiency.
Related bariatric surgeries and bariatric surgery procedures include gastric bypass, roux-en-y gastric bypass, gastric banding, and duodenal switch. These popular options, alongside laparoscopic techniques, are guided by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery to ensure safety and enough weight loss.
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