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Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)

A Restrictive Procedure

The sleeve gastrectomy is an operation in which the left side of the stomach is surgically removed, leaving the stomach roughly the size and shape of a banana. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve remain intact in order to preserve the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. By comparison, in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is divided, not removed and can be reconnected (reversed) if necessary. There is no intestinal bypass with this procedure, only stomach reduction.

Advantages

  • Sleeve gastrectomy involves no malabsorption of nutrients therefore avoiding anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency.
  • This is the only surgery that substantially removes the "hunger hormone," Ghrelin.
  • It does not need adjustments or fills.
  • As this procedure may be used as the first stage of a two-stage operation, it may be a safer for patients with a body mass index (BMI) more than 60.
  • The chances of an ulcer occurring are minimized.

Risks

  • This procedure involves stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur.
  • Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can be converted to almost any other weight loss procedure.
  • The smaller portion of the stomach may stretch.
  • Foods that you eat now may cause discomfort, nausea or vomiting after your surgery.
  • Gastric surgery puts you at higher than normal risk of developing gallstones and gallbladder disease.

If you’d like to find out more about weight loss that really works, please call The Center for Bariatric Surgery at (201) 781-1380.