Frequently Asked Questions About Gastric Sleeve
Will the weight loss last after gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a relatively modern weight loss procedure that has quickly gained global recognition. Initially introduced in the late 1980s and 1990s as part of the duodenal switch operation, it soon became clear that the gastric sleeve alone resulted in significant weight loss. By the late 2000s and early 2010s, its popularity surged, supported by long-term studies showing consistent and sustainable results over more than five years.
What are the advantages of the gastric sleeve versus the gastric bypass surgery?
A major advantage of gastric sleeve surgery is that it does not involve rerouting the digestive system or creating a new connection between the stomach and small bowel. This makes the procedure simpler and lowers the risk of long-term complications when compared to gastric bypass surgery. Patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery have little to no risk of developing internal hernias or marginal ulcers. It also reduces the chance of nutrient deficiencies because, unlike gastric bypass, it doesn’t cause malabsorption.
Why wouldn't I be able to get the gastric sleeve?
Gastric bypass surgery is preferred for obese patients with esophageal motility problems or gastroparesis. It is also recommended for those with severe GERD, particularly in cases involving Barrett’s esophagus. For mild reflux, however, gastric sleeve surgery remains an acceptable option.
How can surgeons pull out a huge stomach from a small incision?
The stomach has the ability to stretch greatly after meals, with studies showing it can expand to hold 2–4 liters (64–128 ounces) of food. In gastric sleeve surgery, a tube is inserted through the mouth to remove all gas and liquids, fully decompressing the stomach. Once decompressed, about 80% of the stomach is removed. The stomach is then detached and carefully pulled out through a very small incision, typically only 2–3 cm in size. Because the stomach is completely decompressed, there is rarely a need to enlarge the incision. These minimally invasive incisions help reduce post-surgery pain and lower the risk of hernia formation later in life.
What is the trend of the gastric sleeve surgery in United States?
A Cleveland Clinic study showed that gastric sleeve surgery has quickly become one of the most popular weight loss procedures in the U.S. Back in 2010, only 9.3% of surgeries were gastric sleeve, while most patients had gastric bypass (58.4%) or gastric banding (28.8%). Just three years later, in 2013, gastric sleeve had grown to nearly 49% of all procedures, while bypass dropped to 43.8% and banding fell to 6%. By 2014, data from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) confirmed the trend: out of about 193,000 bariatric surgeries that year, more than half (51.7%) were gastric sleeve, making it the most common choice.
How long will I be in the hospital after the gastric sleeve operation?
Following gastric sleeve surgery, the majority of patients are discharged the same day. Recovery focuses on hydration, with patients encouraged to drink water regularly. Discomfort from the small incisions is usually mild and can be relieved with oral medications. Within a few hours, most patients are up and walking, and by the next morning, they can safely begin a clear liquid diet.
Will the gastric sleeve cause heart burn?
In our own experience, we feel that many of our patients reported decreased reflux after gastric sleeve surgery. From the reported literature, retained fundus (the upper part of stomach) is one of the reasons that patients develop reflux after gastric sleeve surgery. At Gastric Sleeve Dallas, our surgeons pay meticulous attention to this part of the procedure to make sure that all the fundus of stomach is removed during the gastric sleeve surgery.
*Weight loss results may vary depending on the individual. There is no guarantee of specific results.