The vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, is a restrictive form of weight-loss surgery in which approximately 85% of the stomach is removed. This process leaves a cylindrical- or sleeve-shaped stomach. Because the new stomach continues to function normally, there are far fewer restrictions on the foods which patients can consume after surgery, although the quantity of food eaten will be considerably reduced.
During this surgery, which is typically performed laparoscopically, the left side of the stomach, or “greater curvature”, is removed. The stomach that results from this procedure is often compared to the size and shape of a typical banana. And because the fundus of the stomach is removed – the area of the that secretes hormones that make you feel hungry – a sleeve gastrectomy often helps patients to feel less hungry through a hormonal mechanism. In addition, a sleeve gastrectomy is considered to be a simpler operation than a gastric bypass or duodenal switch (BPD-DS) because this operation does not involve any “rerouting” or reconnecting of the intestines. A sleeve gastrectomy may be a good option for patients who would be put at excessive risk by a gastric bypass or duodenal switch.
For patients experiencing more extreme cases of obesity, the sleeve gastrectomy is sometimes completed as the first stage of a two-stage bariatric surgery process. This is because certain candidates for bariatric surgery may have body characteristics – a body mass index (BMI) of 60 or greater, and extreme weight in the belly area – that may leave them at increased risk. In the first stage of this process, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed, often resulting in the patient losing 80 to 100 pounds which will help to make the second stage of the surgery substantially safer. The second stage operation is typically completed eight to 12 months later during a procedure in which the sleeve stomach is transformed into a formal gastric bypass or duodenal switch. This will help to permit more permanent and more substantial weight loss than that provided by a sleeve gastrectomy alone.
Key Benefits Of Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Simpler form of bariatric surgery – A sleeve gastrectomy is a technically simpler operation than gastric bypass or duodenal switch. In addition, some data indicates that this may be a safer procedure as compared to gastric bypass or duodenal switch.
• Low risk of deficiencies – The risk of certain complications such as vitamin and protein deficiencies in minimal since there is no intestinal bypass involved in the procedure.
• Minimal risk of ulcer – There is no risk of marginal ulcer which occurs in over 2% of Roux en Y Gastric Bypass patients.
• Easily modified – This procedure is relatively easy to modify should more weight loss be desired or weight gain reoccurrence.
• Low risk of obstructions – This procedures features a low risk of intestinal obstruction, and dumping syndrome (food content moving too quickly through the small intestine) typically does not occur or is minimized.
Illustration of Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure