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The Gastric Sleeve is a restrictive procedure which limits the amount of food a person can eat by reducing the size of the stomach. The average human stomach can expand to hold between 1 and 1 ½ liters of food. After the sleeve has been created, the stomach will typically be able to hold between 50 and 150 milliliters, or about the volume of a banana. Because the stomach is much smaller you will feel full much sooner and eats less.
Gastric Sleeve patients have been shown to experience significant weight loss and health improvements for comorbid health issues such as back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Most patients lose more than 50% of their excess weight. Unlike Lap Band® no post-operative adjustments are necessary.
The Gastric Sleeve is a non-reversible procedure performed under general anesthesia and typically takes around 1 hour. The surgery is done laproscopically using a small camera and special surgical instruments inserted through a series of small incisions. This reduces recovery time over traditional open surgery. The surgeon removes the outer part of the stomach which creates the “banana-sized” sleeve. Patients generally leave the hospital the next morning.
Like all forms of weight loss surgery, Gastric Sleeve has risks associated with it and requires life-style changes post surgery. Behavior modification and dietary compliance play a critical part in determining long-term success. Only a qualified surgeon can help you decide whether or not you are a candidate for weight loss surgery.