What is a sleeve gastrectomy, and how is it performed?

Top Doctors recently spoke to highly experienced and well-regarded bariatric, laparoscopic, and upper GI surgeon, Mr Sanjay Agrawal, who, here in one of our latest articles, explains what a sleeve gastrectomy is, who it is performed, and what recovery time entails.

What is a sleeve gastrectomy?

It is a type of weight loss surgery whereby the size of the patient’s stomach is reduced. This is achieved by removing the lateral two thirds of the stomach with a stapling device. Then, the remaining stomach is shaped into a tube, and, as a result, the patient can only eat small meals.

How is it performed?

It is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes between one and two hours to complete. The patient’s surgeon will make a small incision in the patient’s abdomen in order to be able to insert an instrument into the abdominal cavity. Then, the surgeon inflates the abdominal cavity with gas.

The surgeon will then free up the part of the patient’s stomach that will be removed and this will then be separated from blood vessels and surrounding structures. The anaesthetist will then pass a long tube down the patient’s oesophagus and into the stomach.

The surgeon uses this long tube as a guide while he or she uses the stapling device to cut and seal the stomach. Once the excess stomach parts and the tube have been removed, the surgeon will often insert a drain into the stomach to effectively drain away fluid that might collect following the surgery.

This drain will typically be removed within 36 to 48 hours after the patient’s sleeve gastrectomy operation. The final step of the procedure sees the surgeon close the cuts or incisions in the stomach with metal clips or absorbable stitches.

Who is the ideal candidate?

If a patient’s BMI is over 40, this is considered morbid obesity, and so, a sleeve gastrectomy can be a good option as it will aid with long-term weight loss. Sleeve gastrectomy surgery will also benefit those with a BMI of over 35. Patients who smoke are encouraged to quit if they are considering undergoing sleeve gastrectomy surgery.

What are the main alternatives to this surgery?

There are two main alternatives: gastric banding, and gastric bypass surgery.

What are the associated benefits?

Patients can achieve long-term weight loss as a direct result of undergoing sleeve gastrectomy surgery. As a result, the majority of the patient’s obesity-related health problems should be improved.

What is recovery time like?

Following a sleeve gastrectomy, patients will typically stay in hospital for two to three days, and will have to follow strict eating and drinking guidelines.

To book a consultation with Mr Sanjay Agrawal, simply head on over to his Top Doctors profile here today.