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What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Sleeve gastrectomy surgery (also called gastric sleeve surgery or sleeve surgery) makes your stomach smaller by using a stapler to divide your stomach vertically (lengthwise) and turn it into a long, narrow tube (or sleeve).

Because surgeons change the size of your stomach and make it smaller, you will feel full more quickly compared to when your stomach was its original size. You therefore eat fewer calories, which causes you to lose weight. 

Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is also called laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy because surgeons use very small cuts to perform the surgery.

Which Surgery Is Better?: Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Banding?

Over the years, sleeve gastrectomy has become popular because it’s simple and has a less intense follow-up compared to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Gastric sleeve is a more restrictive procedure that limits how much food you can eat by dividing and reducing the size of your stomach. Surgeons then remove the remaining larger portion of your stomach.

Unlike gastric bypass, surgeons do not need to reroute your intestines during gastric sleeve surgery.

How Much Weight Will I Lose After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Compared to gastric bypass and gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy is a newer procedure. Therefore, doctors don't have information on long-term outcomes for weight loss like they do for gastric bypass and gastric banding.

Even though there's not much information available about long-term outcomes, most patients lose about 50-70 percent of extra weight in 12-24 months after their sleeve surgery.

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Bariatric surgery isn't for people who are mildly overweight. Instead, it's for severely obese people who are 100 pounds or more overweight and their health is at risk.

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There are several types of bariatric surgery. Choosing the best surgery for you will depend on your weight loss goals and preferences.

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