One of the procedures I often recommend to my bariatric surgery patients in the Baltimore area is sleeve gastrectomy. This surgery reduces the stomach by 80% to a narrow sleeve shape, leaving patients feeling full and leading to weight loss. But is this option right for you? Consider the pros and cons:
Pros
- Weight loss on par with gastric bypass. Because this procedure removes a large portion of the intestine, weight loss is comparable to gastric bypass. However, unlike gastric bypass, digestion is not affected.
- No risk of ulcer or intestinal complications. Sleeve gastrectomy does not affect normal stomach functioning, so there is no risk of ulcers or intestinal complications that may occur with other weight loss surgeries.
- Laparoscopically performed. Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive, requires shorter incisions, and involves less post-operative discomfort. Patients can return to work and regular activities more quickly.
Cons
- Potential for inadequate weight loss for certain kinds of eaters. This procedure reduces the stomach’s capacity, but it allows for most types of food to be eaten without malabsorption. Therefore, individuals who make poor food choices will likely have a harder time losing weight.
- Higher chance of regaining weight. All weight loss procedures have a risk of weight regain. However, because sleeve gastrectomy does not involve intestinal bypass, the chances may be higher.
- Irreversible. This procedure forever alters the shape and size of your stomach. That’s why it’s very important that you be screened and evaluated by a qualified bariatric surgeon to determine whether this technique is right for you.
- Higher risk of persistent or new onset reflux symptoms requiring medication use or surgical correction if symptoms are troublesome.