Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric surgery. During this procedure the surgeon reduces the size of the stomach by 75% -85% which is like the shape of a banana. The procedure of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is not reversible. Although the stomach becomes smaller, its function remains unaltered and food follows its natural pathway.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is typically considered as a treatment option for the bariatric surgery patients with a BMI of 60 or higher. Within six months of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery many patients lose up to 60% of their excess body weight.

Alternative Names of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy :-

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy, greater curvature gastrectomy, parietal gastrectomy or longitudinal gastrectomy

Procedure of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy :-

  1. The time consumed is about an hour.
  2. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery is done with small five incisions and long, tube-like instruments are inserted through them.
  3. The abdomen is filled with gas and thus the surgeon is able to view the abdominal cavity
  4. Through one of the tubes, the camera is inserted that displays the images on a monitor in the operation theatre

Weight Loss Mechanism of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy :-

The size of stomach reduces to about 60-80 cc in volume which results in a powerful restraining weight loss. Consequently you feel full even after having a small amount of food. Thus, you lose weight as you eat less. There are also noteworthy effects on the hunger mechanisms that make the weight loss prominent with the sleeve gastrectomy even better. Hunger is favorably affected because the capacity to produce Ghrelin (a hormone that makes you feel hungry) is reduced. The aftermaths, you witness, are impressive and encouraging.

Merits of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy :-

  1. Rapid initial weight loss
  2. Decreases appetite (prolonged sense of fullness after meals)
  3. The procedure is minimally invasive
  4. Safe procedure for severely obese people
  5. Less time under anesthesia
  6. No requirement of disconnecting or reconnecting intestines
  7. There is no malabsorption, vitamins and minerals are not necessary, it may be important among older patients
  8. It can be converted into any other weight loss procedure

Demerits of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy :-

  1. Permanent procedure
  2. No long term data
  3. Requires patient to discipline the diet and avoid nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition
  4. Requires cutting and removing a portion of the stomach
  5. Not advisable for teenagers and women who wish to become pregnant in future

Candidates Suitable for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy :-

  1. Patients with extremely high BMI (greater than 55)
  2. Those concerned about the deficiencies of vitamins (malabsorption) and nutrition
  3. Those who want to reduce the risks involved in the weight loss surgeries
  4. For those who do not find lap band and gastric band adjustment convenient or any of them is not available

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a tool in improving your quality of life. It often reduces or eliminates medical problems you may be suffering with on daily basis. After going through this surgery, the appearance improves and that too without the scarring which occurs in conventional surgeries. Large and rapid weight loss, very few complications, occurring rarely, make laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery a modish choice for weight loss.