Gastric Sleeve

Interesting fact- Eviva was the first medical center in the world to provide this procedure as a same-day surgery!

What is the gastric sleeve?

The vertical sleeve gastrectomy (or “gastric sleeve”) is a weight loss surgery that has gained popularity over the last decade and is now the most popular bariatric surgery performed in the US today. The gastric sleeve is performed laparoscopically (small keyhole incisions). The largest incision made is about 1 inch in size and is used to extract the removed stomach. During the gastric sleeve surgery, about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a tubular sleeve shaped stomach.

How does the gastric sleeve work?

The gastric sleeve is considered a “restrictive” procedure. It works by limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. In addition, a hormonally active portion of the stomach (the fundus) is removed during surgery which can help reduce appetite and hunger.

What are the benefits of the gastric sleeve?

The gastric sleeve results in an average 25-30% total body weight loss. This means that someone who weighs 200lbs will typically lose 50-60lbs. In addition, the gastric sleeve improves many health problems related to obesity, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. The gastric sleeve reduces risk for cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart attack and reduces risk for many types of cancer.

Who qualifies for the gastric sleeve?

According to the most recent guidelines people with a BMI >30 or a BMI >35 with obesity related medical conditions should consider bariatric surgery, including the gastric sleeve. Obesity related medical conditions include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnea.

Currently, insurance companies generally require that you have a BMI >40 or a BMI >35 with obesity related medical conditions. In addition, they require that you have tried losing weight in the past.

Check out our insurance information page for more details.

How is a gastric sleeve performed?

The gastric sleeve is performed laparoscopically. Several small incisions are made, and the entire surgery is performed through the small incisions. General anesthesia is required. At Eviva, the sleeve gastrectomy is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning our patients go home on the same day of surgery.

What is recovery like after the gastric sleeve?

Typically, patients go home the same day of surgery. During the initial weeks after surgery, patients follow a specific diet. This is initially a liquid diet that is then gradually transitioned to a regular diet. This allows the stomach to heal and allows our patients to gradually adjust to the new size of their stomach. Learn more about the post op diet in these videos.

There is pain from the incisions made during surgery. This typically is moderate and resolves as the incisions heal. Many of our patients only require over the counter medications after surgery. Energy levels will be low initially but recover in the weeks following surgery. We ask that patients avoid heavy lifting for the first three weeks after surgery.

Your team at Eviva is by your side throughout the entire recovery process. Eviva was one of the first medical centers to offer the laparoscopic gastric sleeve and the first to perform a same day laparoscopic gastric sleeve. Since the beginning, Eviva has been a pioneer in emphasizing the importance of comprehensive aftercare for bariatric surgery patients.

Is the gastric sleeve safe?

The gastric sleeve is very safe. The complication rate for the gastric sleeve varies depending on each individual person. Overall, the gastric sleeve is as safe or safer than many common procedures performed today, such gallbladder removal and knee replacement. For most people, the risk of not having surgery and developing complications related to being overweight or obese is greater than the risk of having surgery. Each patient’s health conditions are carefully examined and reviewed by Eviva’s surgical and anesthesia teams to ensure a safe surgery.