Why Do I prefer the Sleeve Gastrectomy vs. all the other weight-loss surgeries?

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a procedure that permanently restricts the amount of food ingested by removing two-thirds of the stomach.  There are several advantages to this approach:

1. You maintain your normal digestive pathway.  There is no deviation or re-routing of your intestines.
2. Taking out this part of your stomach decreases a hunger hormone (called Ghrelin) which is made there. This gives you an added, natural appetite suppressant.
3. There is no foreign body inserted into your digestive tract.
4. No need for “fills” as you do with the Lap. Band procedure.
5. This surgery has a low complication rate.
6. Patients experience a quick recovery time with an early return to normal activities.
7. You maintain a “healthy appearance” after weight loss.

This procedure was first performed in 1993, so it is a relatively new procedure.  There is not much long-term statistical data available but preliminary weight loss results are promising and the results are comparable to the Gastric Bypass procedure. 

The Procedure:

The Sleeve Gastrectomy for weight loss is a procedure that helps you lose weight solely through gastric restriction (a smaller stomach).  The stomach is sectioned off vertically following the major curve and approximately 75-80% of it is removed.  The open edges are then attached together by sutures or staples. After the section is taken off, the stomach resembles a tube, or sleeve, with a banana shape.  All nerves stay intact and the functionality of the stomach remains the same while drastically reducing the volume that it holds.  The lack of volume restricts the amount of food you can ingest at one time, and will give you the sense of feeling full.  This process is permanent and irreversible.