Sleeve Gastrectomy

AtlantiCare is now offering a third surgical option for patients seeking treatment for morbid obesity. In addition to laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, AtlantiCare surgeons have also been trained to perform laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Originally designed as the first step in a larger procedure designed for super-super morbidly obese patients, sleeve gastrectomy is now being offered as a stand alone procedure for patients in the average BMI category acceptable for surgical treatment (35- 40 with illness associated with morbid obesity or BMI greater than 40).

Similar to our other surgical weight loss options, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients may experience the following benefits:

• 33 to 83 percent loss of their excess body within 3 years of surgery (from a recent study of sleeve gastrectomy) though individual weight loss experience will vary.
• Decreased or complete remission of health disorders resulting from morbid obesity*, such as:
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Gastric reflux
• Sleep apnea and other conditions
• Increased mobility
• Improved psychological wellness
• Improved social interactions
• And, most important, overall improvement in quality of life

*Improvement or complete resolution of medical problems is not guaranteed and they may recur if weight is regained.

What the Procedure Involves and How it Works

During the Sleeve Gastrectomy, the stomach’s capacity to hold food is reduced by removing approximately 85% of it, leaving the remainder as a tube or in the shape of a banana. Similar to both adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic Roux en y gastric bypass, this produces a feeling of fullness after eating a much smaller meal allowing the patient to lose weight by eating much less at each meal (restriction). Because the portion of the stomach that is responsible for producing an appetite stimulating hormone (Ghrelin) is removed, the patient’s hunger is also diminished by biochemical means similar to what is achieved with gastric bypass.

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