Gastric Sleeve
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG)
What is a Gastric Sleeve?
A Gastric Sleeve, also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a a minimally-invasive surgery performed on the stomach. This 1-2 hour weight loss procedure consists of making the stomach into a long tube, or “sleeve”, by removing two-thirds of the stomach which supplies for quicker and a more prolonged satiety (sense of fullness) and decreased appetite. The smaller stomach pouch restricts food intake by allowing only a limited of food to be eaten at one time.
Gastric sleeve is a popular weight loss solution because it is designed to help you by eliminating your desire to eat as much or as often. Gastric sleeve surgery is a simpler procedure to perform than gastric bypass, resulting in lower complications and faster recovery times. Another benefit of this surgery is that your stomach will continue to function normally, and as a result, you can still eat most of your favorite foods with no worries about suffering from dumping syndrome.
Recovery Time: around 2-3 weeks
Gastric Sleeve Benefits
- Helps you lose excess weight
- Higher quality of sleep
- Increased energy levels
- Reduces risk for potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems like heart attacks, dementia, sleep apnea, cancer, and type 2 diabetes
- Suppresses appetite: upper portion of stomach that produces ghrelin (hunger-stimulating hormone) is removed
- Reduces likeliness of getting stomach ulcers
- Minimally invasive (laparoscopy): the surgeon will make a few small incisions in your abdomen to operate
How to know if you qualify for Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Individuals with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35 or over and significant weight related health problems (i.e. high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.) are qualified for any weight loss surgery including Sleeve Gastrectomy.
Calculating Body Mass Index is not a perfect science because it cannot account for the weight of your internal tissues, organs, etc. but it provides a close estimate to determine eligibility.
Click here for Adult BMI Calculator
BMI | CATEGORY |
Below 18.5 | Underweight |
18.5 – 24.9 | Healthy |
25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
30.0 – 39.9 | Obese |
Over 40 | Morbidly obese |
