Sleeve Gastrectomy

The sleeve gastrectomy, sometimes called the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), is an operation in which the left side of the stomach is removed, resulting in a new stomach that is roughly the size and shape of a banana. Since this operation does not involve any "rerouting" or reconnecting of the intestines, it is a simpler operation than the gastric bypass. Unlike the LAP-BAND® procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy does not require the implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen.

For certain patients, in particular those with a body mass index greater than 50, the sleeve gastrectomy may be the first part of a two-stage bariatric surgery solution, followed at some point by gastric bypass surgery. The second operation is typically performed between eight and 12 months after the first. The "sleeve" stomach is converted into a formal gastric bypass. This will permit additional weight loss and will provide a much more permanent result than sleeve gastrectomy alone. Both surgeries can typically be performed laparoscopically, giving the advantage of shorter recovery, shorter incisions and less pain.