The Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedures

Posted by Dr. Nick Nicholson on July 30th, 2014

While gastric bypass surgery is one of the most popular options in regard to weight loss surgery in America, it’s not the only one that can produce big benefits. Sometimes doctors may recommend sleeve gastrectomy procedures instead.

What Is It? 

A sleeve gastrectomy procedure is indeed similar to a gastric bypass. Both surgical procedures are considered invasive and require a recovery period of several weeks. They also both involve effectively shrinking the stomach to limit the amount of food a person can intake at any given time. That’s where the similarities end.

Let’s take a look at where they differ.

The Gastric Bypass

In addition to shrinking the stomach, this surgical procedure calls for rerouting food through the body by bypassing part of the small intestine and also closing off the integrity of the pylorus valve. The end result is a two-fold approach to weight loss that limits intake and also limits the body’s ability to absorb calories.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Texas Procedures

This surgery also involves shrinking the stomach, but does not bypass part of the small intestine. In the case of a sleeve gastrectomy procedure, a portion of the stomach is actually removed and the remaining 25 percent or so is reshaped to resemble a banana or sleeve. The pylorus valve, however, is left intact.

Benefits of the Sleeve

Both types of surgery can have dramatic impacts on weight by limiting a person’s ability to consume food. The sleeve procedure, however, is considered less radical because it does keep the valve intact and lowers surgical risk in the process.

Finding out if sleeve gastrectomy surgery is right for you calls for a consultation with a skilled surgeon. It’s important to weigh all the options with an experienced doctor who not only performs sleeve procedures, but is also well versed in other weight loss operations.

Sleeve procedures can be lifesavers when they are performed. This surgery is serious business though and it’s best to review all options for weight loss with a bariatric specialist. Sleeve weight loss procedures are considered only in the most extreme cases when immediate, lasting weight loss is required to safeguard health. Since this procedure involves actual removal of part of the stomach, it’s considered permanent.