Are you significantly overweight or obese? Sleeve gastrectomy may be an option for patients too heavy for other weight loss surgeries. The surgeons and specialists at MaineHealth provide expertise and safe treatment for gastric sleeve patients.
What is the sleeve gastrectomy?
Sleeve gastrectomy is surgery that involves removing part of the stomach. Sleeve gastrectomy often is performed on patients too heavy to have other weight loss surgeries done safely. This is minimally invasive surgery done with a tiny camera that allows the surgeon to see inside the belly during the operation. The remaining portion of the stomach is held together by surgical staples. Removal of the stomach leaves a small tube, or “sleeve,” that can only hold a small amount of food. This results in a faster feeling of fullness and less hunger after meals. The procedure is not reversible.
The surgery will take about one to two hours and requires a hospital stay of about two days post-operation. Most patients can return to work or normal daily activity within two to three weeks.
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery benefits
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery helps patients with obesity reach their long-term weight loss goals, after medically supervised dieting and other options have not worked over time. Advantages of sleeve gastrectomy surgery include:
- Long-term sustained weight loss
- Normalized blood sugar levels
- Reduced cholesterol levels
- Reduced blood pressure
- Relief from sleep apnea and acid reflux
- Overall improvements in quality of life
