Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) or Gastric Sleeve is a surgical weight loss procedure that makes the stomach smaller. A safe and effective option for weight loss, gastric sleeves allow patients to feel full with much less food and decrease the amount of hunger hormones they produce. One year after gastric sleeve surgery, patients can expect to lose an average of 33-83% excess body weight.
Change Your Life With Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Are you ready to take charge of your weight and transform your life? Gastric Sleeve Surgery offers a life-changing approach to weight loss by reducing stomach capacity. This procedure focuses on curbing hunger and reshaping your relationship with food, providing a pathway to a healthier future.
What is a Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric Sleeve Surgery is an innovative form of bariatric intervention designed to deliver lasting results. Unlike other approaches, it avoids intestinal rerouting and food malabsorption, making it a safe and effective method for weight loss.
The surgery involves removing about 60-80% of the stomach’s outer curve, leaving a “sleeve” resembling a banana in shape. This sleeve extends from the esophagus to the small intestine, while the pyloric valve, responsible for controlling food release to the small intestine, remains intact. By removing the upper portion of the stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin, the procedure also helps manage hunger effectively.
At Singing River, many gastric sleeve surgeries are performed laparoscopically with an advanced robotic surgical instrument—the da Vinci XI system. This technology allows our surgeons to perform procedures with more control, precision, and autonomy through just a few small openings. As a result, many patients experience less pain and faster recovery times.
Watch Our FREE Webinar to Get StartedFrequently Asked Questions About Gastric Sleeve
Is gastric sleeve surgery safe?
Yes, the surgery is generally considered safe when performed by experienced and qualified medical professionals. The surgeons of Singing River Weight Loss Center are very experienced at performing all types of bariatric surgeries. We were named CareChex’s #1 hospital in our market for bariatric patient safety. However, with any surgical procedure, there are risks and potential complications.
Potential complications include the sleeve stretching over time, resulting in weight gain and healing issues with the edge of the sleeve leaking or bleeding.
How long does the gastric sleeve surgery take?
Gastric sleeve surgeries usually take about one hour.
Is gastric sleeve reversible?
No. The part of the stomach that is removed during the surgery cannot be restored. It is a permanent alteration to your digestive system.
What is gastric sleeve surgery recovery like?
Recovery from Gastric Sleeve Surgery involves several stages. After the surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for about one night. During the initial two weeks, a liquid diet is recommended to allow the body to heal. Over the next few weeks, the diet transitions from liquids to soft foods and eventually to solid foods. Most patients can return to work within 1-2 weeks after surgery.
It’s important to follow the post-operative guidelines provided by your medical team, which may include dietary restrictions, gradually increasing physical activity, and attending follow-up appointments. The recovery period varies for each individual, but by about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, most patients can resume a regular solid diet and their daily activities.
What insurance companies cover weight loss surgery?
In-network plans that cover bariatric surgery at Singing River Weight Loss Center include:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi – State and School Employees
- Mississippi Physicians Care
- First Health
- Premier Health
- AETNA
- FirstChoice
- Cigna
- United Healthcare
- MGM Employees
- Tricare
- BARInet
For more information on insurance and payment options, visit our Insurance Options for Weight Loss Surgery page.
Average weight loss for gastric sleeve patients is 33-83% of excess body weight.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
When comparing your weight loss options, a gastric sleeve, or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), has certain advantages and benefits.
Control Your Hunger
Gastric sleeve surgery promotes hunger control through the surgical removal of a significant portion of the stomach, including the area responsible for producing the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin. By decreasing ghrelin production and limiting the stomach’s capacity, the surgery helps suppress your appetite and feelings of hunger in order to help individuals naturally eat smaller portions, supporting their weight loss journey.
Achieve Steady Weight Loss
Gastric sleeves promote steady weight loss by significantly reducing the stomach’s capacity, leading to smaller meal portions and reduced calorie intake. And as mentioned above, the removal of the portion of the stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin helps control appetite. This combined effect encourages a consistent and gradual weight loss as individuals adopt healthier eating habits and sustain a lower caloric intake over time.
Smooth Digestion
Gastric sleeve surgery promotes smooth digestion by preserving the natural pathway of food through the digestive system. While the surgery reduces stomach capacity, it leaves the pyloric valve intact, allowing for controlled release of food into the small intestine. This preserves the sequential and gradual digestion process, minimizing the likelihood of digestive discomfort and promoting more efficient nutrient absorption.
Avoid Dumping Syndrome
Gastric sleeve surgery helps avoid dumping syndrome by preserving the pyloric valve, which controls the release of food from the stomach to the small intestine. Unlike some other bariatric procedures, the preservation of this valve ensures a more controlled and gradual passage of food into the small intestine, reducing the likelihood of uncomfortable dumping syndrome symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Keep Your Intestines
Unlike gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeves do not involve intestinal rerouting or bypass. Unlike surgeries that create new connections in the intestines, this surgery only reduces the size of the stomach. This approach maintains the natural flow and function of the digestive system, ensuring that your intestines are intact while still enabling weight loss.
Reduce Ulcer Risk
VSG reduces the risk of ulcers by removing a portion of the stomach that is more prone to ulcer development. The surgical removal of this section decreases the acid-producing capacity of the stomach, creating a less acidic environment and minimizing the likelihood of ulcer formation.
Get Ongoing Holistic Support
Singing River Weight Loss provides patients with holistic care by encompassing not only the surgical procedure but also ongoing support for comprehensive well-being. Patients receive guidance on nutrition, lifestyle changes, exercise routines, and follow-up appointments, ensuring a well-rounded approach to their weight loss journey. This comprehensive care addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of health, supporting patients in achieving long-term success and improved overall quality of life.
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