Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
Weight Loss Surgery Option
Sleeve Gastrectomy is also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) or Greater Curvature Gastrectomy or Parietal Gastrectomy or Longitudinal Gastrectomy. It is used as an alternative to laparoscopic Lap-band procedure. It generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food eaten by removing 85% or more of the stomach without causing any gastrointestinal malabsoprtion. So it’s a purely restrictive operation.
The left side of the stomach or the greater curvature is surgically removed, the open edges are then attached together to form a sleeve or tube with a banana shape.Now, the size of the stomach is permanently reduced. The process is performed laparoscopically and is not reversible.
Since this operation does not involve any "rerouting" or reconnecting of the intestines, it is a simpler operation than the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch. Unlike the Lap-Band procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy does not require the implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen. Technically it appears to be easier and faster laparoscopic procedure than Roux-en Y gastric bypass or other malabsorptive procedures.
The Sleeve Gastrectomy works through two mechanisms. Firstly, makes the stomach smaller; as a result we will full after eating smaller meals. In addition to this the ‘fundus’ of the stomach is removed.It is this area that secretes ghrelin hormone that makes us hungry. So, the sleeve gastrectomy helps us to feel less hungry through a hormonal mechanism.
In obese people with BMI of 60 or more Sleeve Gastrectomy may be the first part of a two stage operation. Certain patients have a body shape, like ones who carry their weight in the belly area that makes their surgery more technically difficult. For such people a multi-step operation like gastric bypass or duodenal switch is broken down into simpler two stage operation. In the first stage, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed. This allows losing 80 to 100 pounds or more, which makes the second part of the operation substantially safer.
The second stage of this two stage operation is usually performed 8 to 12 months after the first. The "sleeve" stomach is converted into a formal gastric bypass or duodenal switch. This permits additional weight loss and provides a much more permanent result than sleeve gastrectomy alone. Both the stages of the surgery can be performed laparoscopically, giving the advantage of shorter recovery, shorter incisions, and fewer incision-related problems and less pain.
From the above discussion the advantages of the sleeve gastrectomy is evident. Firstly it does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines. Secondly, it is technically simpler operation than the duodenal switch or gastric bypass. Lastly, it may be used as the first stage of a 2-stage operation.
Talking about the disadvantages, like any surgical operation, sleeve gastrectomy has possibility of complications like leakage, dilation of the sleeve and other usual complications associated with bariatric surgery. Patients are strictly forbidden from smoking after the surgery as smoking would cause serious complications.
For patients that are obese but not extremely obese, sleeve gastrectomy is a suitable operation with minimum risks. Some surgeons even prefer it over gastric banding because it eliminates the need of having to insert a foreign body. The sleeve gastrectomy currently is acceptable weight loss surgery option for obese patients as a single procedure.Gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico done by world famous bariatric surgeon Dr Miguel Zapata ensures that your road to weight loss is healthy, well planned and affordable.
