Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy How it Works
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), which may also be called a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve, was originally designed to be the first step of a more complex surgical technique. It was found, however, that many patients lost an adequate amount of weight with this single step, never requiring the surgical conversion.
Most patients experience anywhere from a 35-85% loss of excess body weight. On average, weight loss equals approximately 60% of excess body weight after five years.
Sleeve gastrectomy affects weight loss by utilizing two of the four surgical mechanisms in the following ways:
- Restriction is accomplished by removing 75-85% of the stomach, leaving behind a thin tube (or sleeve) approximately the size of a banana. This banana-sized stomach is approximately three times larger than the pouch of gastric bypass, but still much smaller than the original stomach and also much less flexible. You will feel full after consuming less food.
- Hormonal changes occur because when the stomach is made smaller, the body produces less of the hormone that triggers the hunger center in the brain. Nearly 75% of patients report decreased feelings of hunger after surgery.
Because the intestines are not disturbed, there is no malabsorption and dumping syndrome is unlikely.