Sleeve Gastrectomy in New Jersey
What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve surgery, involves reducing the size of your stomach by 75-85 percent, making it a thin “sleeve” the size of a banana.Following surgery, you must eat smaller amounts of food. You’ll also feel less hungry because surgeons remove part of the stomach that produces ghrelin – the hormone that stimulates appetite.
You can expect to lose 50-70 percent of excess weight over a one- to two-year period after sleeve gastrectomy.
Is Sleeve Gastrectomy Right for You?
- Anemia, Crohn’s disease and other conditions that make you too high risk for gastric bypass or banding
- BMI between 35–45 – will be performed as one procedure
- Body mass index (BMI) greater than 70 – will be performed as part of a two-step procedure
- Family history of gastric cancer or need frequent endoscopy
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Previous small bowel surgery
Bariatric surgeons at Hackensack Meridian Health are highly experienced in sleeve gastrectomy. We can help you decide if this approach is right for you.
Advantages of Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Normal absorption of most medications and nutrients
- Stomach functions normally
- No dumping syndrome – symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness or diarrhea – when eating too much sugar or large amounts of food
- Reduced risk of ulcers, intestinal blockage, anemia, osteoporosis
- Option for a minimally invasive approach if you weigh more than 500 pounds
Potential Disadvantages of Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Soft foods that are high in calories – such as ice cream and milkshakes – can be absorbed and may slow weight loss
- Chance of leak (also a risk with other stomach-stapling weight loss surgeries)
- Not reversible
Learn How Sleeve Gastrectomy Works
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sleeve gastrectomy and how does it help with weight loss?
Sleeve gastrectomy is a weight loss surgery where 75-85% of the stomach is removed, leaving a small, banana-shaped "sleeve." This helps you lose weight in two ways: you can only eat smaller amounts of food at one time, and you feel less hungry because the part of the stomach that produces the appetite-stimulating hormone (ghrelin) is removed.
Who is a good candidate for sleeve gastrectomy?
This procedure is often recommended for individuals who are considered too high-risk for other bariatric surgeries due to conditions like anemia or Crohn's disease. It is also an option for those with a BMI between 35-45, or a BMI greater than 70 (as part of a two-step procedure).
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of this procedure?
The primary advantages are that the stomach continues to function normally, allowing for normal absorption of most nutrients, and there is no "dumping syndrome." The main disadvantages are that the procedure is not reversible, and there is a risk of a leak from the staple line. Additionally, weight loss can be slowed if high-calorie soft foods are consumed.
