Sleeve Gastrectomy

            The Sleeve Gastrectomy was once part of a two-stage Bariatric surgery named the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch.  With excellent short-term results, the sleeve has been modified to become its own operation.  The Sleeve Gastrectomy involves remodeling the stomach into a thin tube.  Weight loss occurs by two different processes.
            By “tubularizing” the stomach, the Sleeve Gastrectomy restricts the amount of food that you may consume at one time.  In addition, the Sleeve Gastrectomy is the only Bariatric Surgery that is irreversible because it involves removing a great deal of stomach to create the sleeve.  Part of the stomach that is removed produces Ghrelin.  Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates appetite; so removing its source is felt to lessen hunger.
            It is important to note that the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons does not endorse the Sleeve Gastrectomy at this time.  The operation has produced encouraging short-term results, however, long-term data is not yet available.