Sleeve Gastrectomy (Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve)

Inspira offers sleeve gastrectomy, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, as a minimally invasive treatment option for obesity. Our experienced providers can help you lose weight and keep it off to improve your health and quality of life.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Sleeve gastrectomy, or laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure in which your surgeon removes 75 to 85 percent of your stomach. Reducing the size of your stomach restricts the amount of food you can consume, which helps with long-term weight loss. Losing weight with gastric sleeve surgery can result in benefits such as:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Remission of type 2 diabetes
• Relief from depression
• Improved obstructive sleep apnea
• Relief from joint pain
• Improved fertility
• Reduced risk of cancer

Unlike other procedures, gastric sleeve surgery does not bypass the intestines or cause decrease nutrient absorption. In addition, this laparoscopic approach to surgery results in shorter post-operative hospital stays, fewer complications, less pain and faster recovery than traditional surgery. Inspira’s weight management providers, dietitians and peer support groups ensure that you have a lifetime of support keeping the weight off after surgery.

How Does Gastric Sleeve Surgery Work?

During gastric sleeve surgery, your surgeon will make five or six small incisions in your upper abdomen. They will use long, thin instruments and a laparoscope, a tube with a video camera attached, to access your stomach through these small incisions. The surgeon will create a narrow sleeve by vertically stapling the stomach and removing the larger part of the stomach. Once the procedure is complete, your stomach will be approximately the size of a banana.

In addition to reducing the size of your stomach to limit the amount of food you can consume, this procedure causes hormonal changes that can suppress your body’s production of the “hunger hormone,” further enabling you to lose weight after surgery.

What to Expect When You Have Gastric Sleeve Surgery

In order to qualify for gastric sleeve surgery, you must attend at least one information session and meet with a bariatric specialist to determine your eligibility. You may be a candidate if you:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) higher than 35 or higher than 30 paired with comorbid conditions
• Have failed to lose weight with diet and exercise alone
• Do not have untreated psychological conditions, such as addiction or depression
• Do not have a history of esophageal or gastric varices—enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach
• Do not have a significant history of GERD

If you receive clearance from the multi-disciplinary bariatric team, your procedure will be scheduled. This minimally invasive procedure takes several hours to complete, and you may stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 days while your care team monitors you for complications. After the procedure, your doctor, dietitian and support team will work with you to fine-tune your diet and exercise routine.