Advantages/Disadvantages
Advantages of the Gastric Sleeve Procedure
- Stomach volume is reduced, but it tends to function normally
so most food items can be consumed in small amounts
- Eliminates that portion of the stomach which produces
the hormone that stimulates hunger (Ghrelin).
- Minimize the chance of an ulcer occurring
- By avoiding the intestinal bypass, the chance of intestinal
obstruction (blockage), anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency,
iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency are almost eliminated
- Appealing option for people with existing anemia, Crohn’s disease and numerous other conditions that make them too high risk for intestinal bypass procedures.
- Can be done laparoscopically in patients weighing over 500 pounds. That means significantly less pain, overnight hospital stay and home the next day, a much quicker return to normal activities and decreased chance of wound infection and wound hernias.
Disadvantages of the Gastric Sleeve Procedure
- Potential for inadequate weight loss or weight regain. While this is true for all weight loss surgery, it is theoretically more possible with procedures that do not have an intestinal bypass. However, published studies show weight loss after three years to be equal to the Divided Gastric bypass Roux-en-Y.
- Higher BMI patients may need to have a second stage procedure to help lose the rest of the weight. However, two stages may ultimately be safer and more effective than one operation for high BMI patients. This is an active point of discussion for bariatric surgeons. The majority of patients do not need the Duodenal Switch.
- Soft calories such as ice cream, milk shakes, etc. can be absorbed and may slow weight loss. This is true with any weight loss surgery. Our patients are educated about food choice.
- This procedure does involve stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur however, recent published studies show this to be a very small percentage.
- Because part of the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can be converted to almost any other weight loss procedure. Studies show that if weight loss operations are reversed, the patients gain back all their lost weight and then gain more.
- Gastric sleeve surgery is not covered by insurance companies. Divided Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y is also not a covered benefit by most insurance companies.
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