Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure that induces weight loss by restricting food intake. The sleeve gastrectomy is an operation in which the left side of the stomach is surgically removed.

This results in a stomach, which is roughly the size and shape of a banana or Sleeve. 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.

This procedure is usually performed as single stage surgery for >33 BMI patients with co-morbidities or >37 BMI without co-morbidities. Sleeve gastrectomy is also done on super obese or high-risk patients with the intention of performing another surgery at a later time.

Surgical time : 1 Hour
Hospitalisation period : Usually 24 – 48 hours
Advantages of the Sleeve Gastrectomy:
  • It does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines
  • It is a technically simpler operation than the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch
  • It is known to reduce hunger by removal of hunger stimulating hormone producing part of stomach
  • Unlike gastric bypass & gastric band, patients feels full with liquids as well.
Special Dietary Requirement
:

Higher protein intake, multi vitamin & mineral supplementation for 1-2 years prevents any nutritional deficiencies.

Complications
:

The reported incidence of complications is at par with other major surgeries performed on obese. These include –
Operative Mortality – 0.2% (None in our series since 2005).

Intra-operative Complications
:

1.4% including bleeding, injury & stapler malfunctioning etc.

Early Complications
:

This includes wound infections (1-3%), pulmonary embolism (1%-2%), intestinal leaks (1%-2%), rarely bleeding, bowel obstructions & rarely cardio-pulmonary complications etc.

Late Complications
:

These includes gall stone formation, incisional hernia, rarely intractable vomiting, ulcer, intestinal obstruction, weight regain, metabolic sequelae including iron deficiency, B12, Folate deficiencies etc.

Weight Loss
:
The average excess weight loss is > 70% after surgery.
Co-morbidity improvement
:
Diabetes
:
Resolution/Improvement in > 70%
Hyperlipidaemia
:
Resolution in > 90%
Hypertension
:
Resolution is noticed in > 75% patients
Sleep Apnoea
:
Resolved in > 85% patients

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy by expert surgeons at the following Alhilal Hospitals Centers. Click on the location to make an appointment.