At Houston Surgical Group, we believe that each weight loss surgery patient is different. While there are some who may be candidates for a gastric bypass procedure , we also offer sleeve gastrectomy for those that qualify. Our bariatric surgeons are highly experienced and have worked with many patients to help provide them with a solution to major weight loss.
When you meet with any of the HSG surgeons for a consultation, they will carefully consider what will help you attain the best possible outcome for you and your lifestyle. They will educate you until they are convinced that you understand the risks and benefits of sleeve gastrectomy. Request a consultation online or call our office at (713) 426-2400 for more information about how you can take the steps toward being your best self.
What Happens During Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?
A sleeve gastrectomy procedure in Houston performed by our qualified surgeons involves removing about 85% of the stomach and reshaping the remaining portion into a tube or sleeve. Sleeve gastrectomy differs from other weight loss surgery procedures in Houston because of the concept: the goal is to limit food intake without impairing the normal absorption of vitamins and minerals. This is a good option for patients with a very high BMI.
Sleeve gastrectomy, like the other weight loss procedures we perform at HSG, is performed laparoscopically, which involves very small incisions. The surgery is performed using camera-guided instruments.
On average, patients can expect to lose about 50 to 60% of excess body weight. Maximum weight loss occurs within two years postoperatively. Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure, therefore it greatly reduces the size of the stomach and limits the amount of food that can be eaten in one sitting; it does not cause decreased absorption of nutrients or bypass the intestines. After eating a small amount of food, patients will feel full very quickly and continue to feel full for several hours.
Am I a Candidate For Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?
Sleeve gastrectomy is the only bariatric surgery that involves neither intestinal reconfiguration, as in gastric bypass surgery, nor a foreign object, as with the LAP-BAND®. Sleeve gastrectomy is relatively low risk, and there is very little chance that revision will be necessary in the future.
Your surgeon may decide that sleeve gastrectomy is an appropriate option if you have a BMI over 35 or significant medical problems that increase your risk for undergoing anesthesia or gastric bypass surgery.
Risks And Benefits Of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery
Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Used for patients with a very high BMI
- Less time in surgery than with other bariatric procedures
- Patients can lose around 50 to 60% of their body weight within the first two years post-surgery
- Preservation of the pyloric valve, which regulates the emptying of the stomach and makes a person feel fuller, longer
- Reduced production of hunger-stimulating hormones
Risks of Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Less weight loss than with other bariatric procedures
- Faster weight loss than with LAP-BAND surgery
- Risk of leak from the staple line
What Happens After Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?
On average, our sleeve gastrectomy patients in Cypress and Houston lose about half or more of their excess weight, and a majority of the weight is lost during the first year post-surgery.
Similar to other bariatric procedures, sleeve gastrectomy will help limit the amount of food patients can intake, but it won’t eliminate the desire to eat. To reach your weight loss goals, you will need to follow the specific diet and exercise guidelines provided by your health care team. Required diet changes include smaller meals focusing on protein intake.
After your procedure, you will be instructed on how to make changes to your lifestyle that will help you maintain a healthy weight.