See Why Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery is the Most Popular Choice Today

Posted by Dr. Nick Nicholson on March 27th, 2022

Sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is becoming an increasingly popular choice to combat obesity. This minimally invasive surgery has two main mechanisms of action. First, it reduces how much food fits in an individual’s stomach, making them feel fuller in a shorter amount of time. Second, it’s a hormonal operation as it blunts appetite.

The surgery revolves around a large portion of the stomach being divided vertically and removed. This is the non-reversible part of the procedure. The remaining stomach – now reduced to about 25% of its original size – is shaped like a banana and resembles a tube or sleeve, thereby decreasing the capacity of calories you can consume. More importantly, we are resecting the part of the stomach that secretes a hormone called ghrelin, which is responsible for appetite, therefore you see excellent appetite suppression after a sleeve.

Gastric sleeve surgery is becoming more common for a number of reasons. With this type of procedure, professionals are seeing better overall results in terms of total weight loss. Another popular reason gastric sleeve surgery is chosen is often due to the reduction in the number of complications.

In gastric band surgery, it is common to replace or remove the band. Oftentimes, a person will become intolerant to a lap band or experience complications such as band erosion, band migration/slippage, band infection, gastric prolapse, esophageal and/or pouch dilation, issues which are avoided by choosing vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In your research for weight loss surgery options, you may have come across new ReShape Lap-Band advertising. Some people are suggesting that this procedure is just as effective as other weight-loss surgeries available and that it’s less invasive than surgical stapling procedures. However, most health professionals would agree that this procedure is not the best choice for weight loss surgery.

The Final Weigh-In

There are a few critical takeaways to remember when researching weight loss surgery in Texas and across the country.

- This surgery provides fewer complications than gastric band surgery.

- In most cases, a gastric sleeve is just as effective as a gastric bypass which accounts for its rise as one of the fastest growing options for weight loss surgery in the U.S. 

- Gastric sleeve is less invasive than gastric bypass – and therefore, a lower risk – surgery. 

About Author

One of the most experienced weight loss surgeons in the country – Dr. Nick Nicholson – along with a full staff of surgeons, physician assistants, and other experienced clinicians, help patients reverse obesity with LAP-BAND, Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Balloon and Revisions.