Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

There are several types of bariatric (surgical weight loss) procedures. Some procedures restrict the amount of food that can be eaten at one time and others bypass segments of the intestines to limit the absorption of calories. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is a restrictive procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and limits food intake.

How Is Sleeve Gastrectomy Performed?

Sleeve Gastrectomy is performed as a laparoscopic procedure. This involves making five or six small incisions in the abdomen and performing the procedure using a video camera (laparoscope) and long instruments that are placed through these small incisions.

During the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, about 75% of the stomach is removed leaving a narrow gastric ❝tube❞ or ❝sleeve❞. No intestines are removed or bypassed during the sleeve gastrectomy.The LSG takes upto one hour to complete.

How Does Sleeve Gastrectomy Cause Weight Loss?

Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure and greatly reduces the size of your stomach. This sleeve will typically hold between 50 & 150 ml of food and liquid and is about the size of a banana and limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. It does not cause decreased absorption of nutrients or bypass your intestines. After eating a small amount of food, you will feel full very quickly and continue to feel full for several hours. Eating less food stops storing excess calories in body & starts using its fat supply for energy.

Sleeve Gastrectomy may also cause a decrease in appetite. In addition to reducing the size of the stomach, Sleeve Gastrectomy may reduce the amount of ❝hunger hormone❞ produced by the stomach which may contribute to weight loss after this procedure.