Central Baptist Hospital Weight Loss Surgery Center
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten without bypassing any of the intestines or malabsorption. Sleeve gastrectomy is ideal for patients who have very high medical risk, high weight or BMI, complex surgical histories or those who are fearful of potential complications from an intestinal bypass. This surgery is also ideal for lower BMI patients who wish to avoid a more complex intestinal bypass or are fearful of “cheating” the gastric band.
Patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy avoid the possibility of vitamin and nutritional deficiencies because the intestines remain intact. This is a restrictive procedure in which approximately 85% of the stomach is removed. This is not reversible. The stomach that remains is shaped like a banana and measures from 2 to 5 ounces. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) remain intact thus preserving the functions of the stomach while reducing the volume. This surgery greatly reduces production of the “hunger hormone” Grehlin. The result is a decreased appetite and hunger sensation. Weight loss with Gastric Sleeve is faster than with the adjustable gastric band and slower than with the gastric bypass.
Sleeve patients can anticipate losing 50% of their excess body weight in the first year, bypass patients up to 70%, and band patients 20-30% of excess body weight. However, because Gastric Sleeve is considered investigational, most insurance companies will not cover this surgery. The same was true of Lap-Band when it was first available, and we anticipate more and more insurers will extend their bariatric benefits to sleeve gastrectomy. This procedure, like gastric banding and gastric bypass, is done laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery reduces the length of hospital stay and greatly reduces the incidence of many complications. All surgery carries risk, and complications can occur. We will discuss all surgical risks and the risks unique to Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy with you in your pre-op education classes.
- Hospital stay: When you leave the recovery room after surgery, you will go to a private room on 3rd floor, called 3 North. Some patients go to the intensive care unit for one night. The staff of 3North and 3 ICU North are specially trained to care for the needs of weight loss surgery patients.
- Back to work: Most of our Gastric Sleeve patients schedule one-two weeks off work for surgery and recovery. You will have your first follow-up appointment one week after surgery, and should not return to work before that appointment. Your return to work is determined by your own needs, your health status, and how you’ve progressed following surgery. You and your surgeon will be discuss this prior to surgery, and at your follow-up appointment.
- Diet and nutrition: You will be on a liquid diet for a short period of time before and a longer period of time after surgery. We will provide you with specific pre- and post-op nutritional guidelines during your nutrition consults and your pre-op classes.
- Medications: Stop taking hormones, herbals, birth control medications 30 days prior to surgery. You must wait 30 days after surgery to resume these medications. You will be required to stop taking blood thinning medications like plavix and anti-inflammatory medications including but not limited to Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, Ibuprofen, steroid pills, shots, and creams one week (7 days) prior to surgery. You will not resume these medications after surgery. Additionally, if any of your pills are larger than a plain M&M, ask your pharmacist if they may be crushed or cut into smaller pieces. Please start taking a multi-vitamin now if you are considering surgery. Medications will be discussed in greater detail in your pre-op education classes.
Weight Loss Surgery is a tool! Yes you can lose as much as 50% of your excess body weight within one year of surgery but, you will need to maintain your healthy eating habits and regular exercise to sustain these results.