Sleeve gastrectomyWhat is a sleeve gastrectomy?A sleeve gastrectomy is one type of weight loss surgery. Surgeons remove part of the stomach and resize the remaining stomach to about the shape and size of a small banana. The smaller stomach limits the amount of food you can eat during a meal. This leads to weight loss. In general, patients lose 40 to 60 percent of their excess weight within 12 months after surgery. Unlike other bariatric surgeries, the sleeve gastrectomy does not involve rearranging the intestines. It also does not involve an implanted medical device like an adjustable gastric band. The sleeve gastrectomy can be done using laparoscopic procedure. This means you will have several small incisions (cuts), instead of one large incision. Benefits of laparoscopic surgery include less pain, fewer problems (complications) and a faster recovery. Most patients go home from the hospital within one or two days after surgery. A sleeve gastrectomy is also known as vertical gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Who could benefit from sleeve gastrectomy?Most patients who qualify for other types of weight loss surgery can also consider sleeve gastrectomy. You may qualify if you have a:
Some insurance companies may require a higher BMI to qualify for a sleeve gastrectomy. 
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Body mass index (BMI)Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Calculate your BMI... This procedure may be right for you if you take many medicines. Your body still absorbs medicines the same way it did before surgery. Are there risks to sleeve gastrectomy surgery?Like any surgery, the sleeve gastrectomy has possible risks. Leaks and widening of the sleeve (allowing you to eat more) are examples of what could happen after surgery. The surgery itself has risks, such as infection, bleeding, blood clots or death. These risks are rare. What happens during recovery?After surgery in the hospital, you will be cared for in a special bariatric patient care unit. Your health care team includes doctors, nurses, therapists, dietitians and other health care providers dedicated to your lifelong weight loss success. You will need to commit to a lifestyle of healthful eating and regular exercise for the rest of your life. This will help you avoid re-gaining weight and help you manage your health.  Back to Weight Loss Surgery Source: The Bariatric Centers of Allina Hospitals & Clinics First published: 05/25/2005 Reviewed by: Frederick Johnson, MD, surgeon, Allina Medical Clinic – Bariatric Surgical Specialties; co-medical director, Unity Hospital Bariatric Center
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