What Is Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve Gastrectomy is an obesity surgery procedure in which the stomach is shaped into a tube. A large part of the stomach is irreversibly removed, creating a system that continues with the esophagus and intestines.

The only effect of sleeve gastrectomy surgery should not be considered as reducing the volume of the stomach. The operation also affects the hunger hormone secreted from the stomach. Thus, the desire for food decreases, and the brain feels less hungry.

Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most effective surgeries used in the treatment of morbid obesity. Sleeve gastrectomy is not just a weight loss surgery. The main focus of this surgery is to eliminate many diseases that accompany morbid obesity by making patients lose weight. However, bypass surgeries are more suitable for type 2 diabetes patients who are not in the morbidly obese class.

Who Is a Good Candidate for the Sleeve Gastrectomy?

When deciding on sleeve gastrectomy surgery , the body mass index is accessed.A body mass index of 18 to 25 is considered normal.

25 to 30 overweight. Obesity is defined as BMI of 30 or more. 

 However, not every patient who is called obese is suitable for sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Those with a body mass index of 35 and above and those with obesity-related diseases are the best candidates for sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Patients with a body mass index of 40 and above are eligible for sleeve gastrectomy surgery even if they do not have co-morbidity. On the other hand, patients with a mass index below 35 but whose diabetes cannot be controlled despite all diet and medical treatments are also ideal candidates for bariatric surgery.

The Procedure

Gastric sleeve surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery is almost always performed by the laparoscopic technique. In the operation, 80% of the stomach is removed. Usually, 4-5 incisions are made for surgery. Since the incisions are very small, there are no scars. In addition, the laparoscopic technique allows the healing process to be faster and painless. Gastric sleeve surgery has been started to be performed with the robotic method in recent years. At the end of the operation, bleeding in the suture line of the stomach is controlled. 

The lower age limit for sleeve gastrectomy surgery is 18, and the upper age limit is 65.