Sleeve Gastrectomy

The sleeve gastrectomy is now the most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide. Approximately 70% of the stomach is removed laparoscopically (minimally invasive surgery with small incisions and belly is filled with gas) so that the stomach is reshaped from being like an oblong football to being like a thin tube or banana. There is no bypassing of the intestine with the sleeve. The advantage of the sleeve is that there is less risk for vitamin deficiency and there is no restriction in the types of medications that can be taken after sleeve surgery. The disadvantage of the sleeve is that there is less weight loss and long-term success compared to Gastric Bypass or Switch surgery. The other disadvantage is that there is a slight chance of worsening or new-onset reflux (heartburn) after sleeve surgery (your risk for this will be determined at the time of your evaluation).