During sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon will remove up to 80 percent of your stomach, including the part that makes a hunger-causing hormone. Your remaining stomach is a long, vertical sleeve that holds smaller amounts of food.
You’ll stay in the hospital for one to two nights after the procedure. Depending on your job, you can expect to be off work for at least one to two weeks.
Advantages
After vertical sleeve gastrectomy, you’ll benefit from:
- A smaller appetite
- Still being able to eat most foods
This procedure has a lower risk of protein and vitamin deficiencies than other weight-loss surgeries. It may also help resolve health problems such as:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes (in about 60% of patients)
Disadvantages
The procedure:
- Can’t be reversed
- Has the risk of leaks from the incisions and blockages in the sleeve
- Sometimes makes symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) worse