Overview

Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss procedure that reshapes the stomach into a slender tube. Doctors remove a large portion of the stomach, leaving behind a sleeve about the size and shape of a banana. This smaller stomach fills more quickly and signals satisfaction sooner, so you eat less at each meal. The operation also reduces the hormones that drive hunger and cravings, which helps many people avoid regaining weight.

More than half of all bariatric surgeries in the United States use this technique. Surgeons perform around one hundred and fifty thousand sleeve gastrectomies in the country each year, and nearly four hundred thousand worldwide. Even so, only a fraction of eligible patients receive it. Gastric sleeve surgery is reserved for people living with severe obesity or those with obesity related health conditions.

Who It Helps

This procedure treats obesity and the illnesses tied to it. Candidates usually have a body mass index of forty or higher, or at least thirty-five with a serious medical condition. Many people with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea or joint pain see these problems improve or even disappear after surgery.

Before you qualify, your healthcare team will evaluate your medical history and your attempts at weight loss. Most insurers ask patients to complete a supervised program for several months first. You will also meet with dietitians, psychologists and other specialists to prepare for the changes ahead. Once approved, you will follow a liquid diet for about two weeks. This reduces fat around your organs and makes surgery safer. You cannot eat or drink during the twelve hours before your operation.

How It Works

Sleeve gastrectomy is usually done with minimally invasive tools through small incisions. Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon inflates your abdomen with gas and inserts a tiny camera. Through one to three additional ports they use long instruments to measure and separate the stomach. About eighty percent of the stomach is removed, and the incisions are then closed. The operation takes around an hour to an hour and a half. Most patients stay in the hospital for one or two nights so that the team can manage pain and monitor for nausea.

After the procedure, you will have frequent appointments to check your progress. Your provider will track your weight loss and watch for side effects. They will make sure you follow the lifestyle guidelines that support your recovery and health. For the first few weeks your diet will be mostly liquids. Over time, you will move to pureed foods, then soft foods and finally regular foods. Because your stomach holds less food, every bite must be packed with nutrition. Your doctor will start you on vitamin supplements soon after surgery, and you will need to keep taking them.

Benefits and Risks

Sleeve gastrectomy is simpler and shorter than other weight loss surgeries. People with conditions that make longer operations risky often tolerate it well. Because the intestines are not rerouted, long-term nutritional problems are less common. Most patients lose about one quarter to one third of their body weight in the first couple of years. For example, someone who weighs three hundred pounds might lose around one hundred pounds. Success depends on healthy eating and activity habits.

Like any surgery, sleeve gastrectomy has possible complications. Bleeding, infections, reactions to anaesthesia and leaks along the staple line can occur, though these problems are rare. After recovery, some people develop scar tissue that narrows the stomach, making it harder for food to pass. Rapid weight loss can lead to gallstones or make reflux worse. Because you are eating less, it is easy to miss out on important nutrients, so lifelong supplements are recommended. Your care team will help you watch for these issues and treat them if they arise.

Recovery and Outlook

You should expect to need about a month before you feel like yourself again and are ready to return to work at full speed. During this period you may feel tired as your body heals while adjusting to fewer calories. Over the weeks you will gradually add more textures to your diet. Weight loss is most rapid in the first year and often stabilizes after two years. Some people regain some weight if old habits return or if the stomach stretches. In that case, a revision procedure or another type of bariatric surgery may be an option.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a powerful tool for long term weight management, but it is not a quick fix. It requires lifelong commitment to a nutritious diet, physical activity and regular follow-up. When combined with these healthy changes, the surgery can help you take control of your weight and improve or resolve many obesity related conditions. If you feel you are ready for this change, reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss your eligibility and next steps.