METABOLIC SURGERY: THE SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
Also known as a “gastric sleeve” or “vertical sleeve gastrectomy”, the sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure in which a majority of the stomach is removed to restrict food intake. While originally developed as a way to help obese patients lose weight prior to future surgery, the sleeve gastrectomy has been shown to have a number of powerful weight-loss and metabolic benefits independent of other procedures. This, coupled with advances in laparoscopic surgical techniques to minimize surgical risks, has made the gastric sleeve one of the most popular forms of metabolic surgery available today.
Dr. Wiljon Beltre, Board Certified lead surgeon at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery in Altamonte Springs, Florida, was one of the first surgeons to perform the gastric sleeve in Central Florida, and remains the only surgeon offering this procedure in Seminole Country. He is committed to staying abreast of cutting-edge surgical procedures and dedicated to helping his patients make educated, informed decisions about their weight loss and healthcare options, and his holistic, comprehensive approach to the entire weight loss journey ensures that you will receive the finest possible care and the warmest possible support as you pursue your weight loss and health-related goals.
THE BENEFITS OF SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
The sleeve gastrectomy, as with other metabolic surgeries such as the gastric bypass, provides two different, but complementary, benefits. First, the sleeve gastrectomy causes significant and rapid weight loss by depressing the appetite and limiting the amount of food the patient can eat. By removing the portion of the stomach known as the fundus, the body’s ability to produce the appetite-controlling hormone ghelin is diminished, drastically reducing the amount the patient wants to eat. And because the post-operative stomach is smaller, the patient is able to eat less.
Second, sleeve gastrectomy has been shown to be extremely effective in the treatment of obesity-related health problems that, despite being linked to obesity, often fail to respond to weight loss. While the exact mechanism by which the gastric sleeve ameliorates high-risk health conditions is not known precisely, it is believed that the suppression of the gut hormones peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PPY) and incretins, in addition to ghelin, has an immediate ameliorative impact on metabolic health problems such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and especially type 2 diabetes.
THE SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY PROCEDURE
Most sleeve gastrectomies require a procedure time of approximately 1-2 hours in an hospital under general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon will make 5-6 small incisions in the abdomen and insert trochars (pen-shaped tubes) into the body, enabling the surgeon to safely utilize a video camera and surgical instruments without making large-scale incisions, a surgical technique that greatly reduces recovery times as well as the risk of discomfort, scarring, and post-operative complications. The surgeon then removes about 70% of the stomach, leaving a vertical, banana-shaped “sleeve” of stomach between the esophagus and small intestine. The remaining stomach sleeve can hold between 50 and 150ml of food, about 10% of what the original stomach could hold. The gastric sleeve does not change the way the stomach processes food or bypass part of the intestine.
Because most sleeve gastrectomies can now be performed more safely with the use of laparoscopic surgical equipment, the risk of serious complications and side effects is much less than in past decades and this procedure is now considered as safe as most surgical procedures. However, all surgical procedures do entail a certain level of risk, and it is important that you review and understand all the risks inherent in sleeve gastrectomy surgery before proceeding.
CONTACT THE CENTER FOR METABOLIC AND OBESITY SURGERY
At The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, located in Altamonte Springs, Florida, we offer a proven, multifaceted approach to metabolic and bariatric surgery that will empower you to achieve your weight loss goals, improve your health and appearance, and rebuild your self-confidence. Led by esteemed, Board Certified surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre, one of the only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons in Central Florida, we specialize in the latest cutting-edge procedures for safe, effective surgical weight loss coupled with a dedicated support team of caring, experienced specialists who will stand by your side to support you throughout your entire weight loss journey. Significant weight loss is not easy, but with the help of with our confidential consultation and education process, the surgical skill and experience of our medical team, and the advice and guidance of our ongoing support network, we can help you achieve the lasting weight loss success you have been dreaming about.
If you are tired of the endless rounds of fad dieting and fruitless exercise regimens and think you may be ready for significant weight loss with a sleeve gastrectomy, or if you would like more information on all of the metabolic and weight loss surgery options at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, contact us today for a free, individual consultation. We look forward to helping you start your weight loss journey today! Call 407-634-4375 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.
DISCLAIMER: Metabolic surgery involves a lifetime commitment to significant lifestyle changes, and is not for everyone. Individual results differ depending on each patient’s medical history and willingness and ability to adhere to the weight loss program specified by Dr. Beltre. As with all surgical procedures, all forms of metabolic surgery carry the risk of complications and side effects; additional details about potential complications, side effects, and other risks will be provided to you by Dr. Beltre during your pre-surgical consultations.
