Gastric Sleeve FAQ

What is a gastric sleeve?

A sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) is an operation to reduce the size of the stomach by up to 80%* in order to restrict the amount of food that is eaten. The resulting decrease in capacity leads to substantial weight loss. By removing the part of the stomach that secretes the hunger hormone Ghrelin, patients experience a significant reduction in their appetite.

* results may differ from person to person and wont be the same for everyone.

Why might I choose a gastric sleeve for my procedure?

You may be a suitable candidate for a gastric sleeve if your BMI is over 35 and you feel that you need a long term weight loss solution, but you don’t want an implanted device such as a gastric band.

What happens during the procedure?

Treatment is carried out under general anaesthesia in an operation that takes between 60 and 90 minutes. The procedure is performed via 5 small incisions in the abdomen. A stapling device is used to remove up to 80%* of the volume of the stomach, leaving a slender tube that maintains the natural openings to and from the stomach.

* results may differ from person to person and wont be the same for everyone.

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique in which surgery is performed using slender surgical instruments, passed through small incisions in the abdomen. This creates less tissue damage than open surgical procedures. After laparoscopic surgery patients report much less pain and fewer wound complications. Patients also recover faster and are able to resume normal activities sooner.

What happens after my operation?

After a 2/3 night stay in hospital you will be discharged to recover at home. You will follow a liquid only diet for the first two weeks, progressing to blended, then soft foods and then on to normal foods in smaller portions. You are advised to take two weeks off work to ensure that you heal as quickly as possible.

You will have lots of support during this time. The NOSC Support Team will guide you through your dietary requirements and our support team will be on hand to keep you motivated and address any issues you may have. They will give you an unlimited amount of support for the 12 months following your procedure.

What are the benefits of a gastric sleeve?

Because no surgery is performed on the intestines, the digestive system functions normally. Unlike patients who have had the gastric bypass, gastric sleeve patients do not suffer from severe vitamin deficiencies, food restrictions or malabsorption.

Gastric sleeve patients require little in the way of follow up, unlike gastric band patients who require band adjustments. As there is no implanted device there is nothing to malfunction in the future. The gastric sleeve is ideal for people with busy lifestyles and for those who are less mobile.

As the stomach functions normally after a gastric sleeve most foods can be eaten, just in smaller amounts.