As obesity continues to rise in many Western countries bariatric surgery has become an everyday type of surgery in a large number of medical facilities.
The sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive method of weight loss surgery in which approximately 85 percent of the stomach is removed leaving a cylindrical or sleeve shaped stomach with a much reduced capacity ranging from about 60 to 150 cc. As distinct from many other forms of weight loss surgery, the outlet valve and nerves to the stomach remain in place and, though the stomach is considerably reduced in volume, its function is unchanged. Further, unlike other forms of bariatric surgery such as the classical Roux-en-Y gastric bypass the sleeve gastrectomy cannot be reversed.
Because the newly fashioned stomach continues to function as normal there are fewer restrictions on the foods that patients can consume following surgery, even if the amount of food consumed will be considerably reduced. This is viewed by a lot of patients as being one of the main advantages of the vertical gastrectomy, as well as the fact that the removal of the majority of the stomach also causes the virtual elimination of hormones which are produced within the stomach and that stimulate hunger.
Possibly the main advantage of the sleeve gastrectomy lies in the fact that it does not bypass the intestines and patients do not thus encounter the complications of bypass such as anemia, osteoporosis, vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency. It also makes it an appropriate type of surgery for people who already suffer from anemia, Crohn's disease and various other conditions which would put them at high risk for intestinal bypass surgery.
Finally, it is one of of only a few forms of weight loss surgery that can be performed laparoscopically in individuals who are extremely overweight.
Possibly the main disadvantage of the sleeve gastrectomy lies in the fact that it does not always result in the weight loss that people would wish for and may lead to weight regain in the longer term. This is indeed the case with any type of purely restrictive weight loss surgery though it is perhaps particularly true of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
Because the procedure requires stapling of the stomach individuals are at risk from leaks and other complications that are directly related to stapling. Further, as with any surgical procedure, individuals are at risk from additional complications such as post-operative bleeding, small bowel obstruction, pneumonia and even death. The chances of encountering any of these complications is however very small and varies from about 0.5 and 1%. This said, the risk of death as a result of this type of surgery at around 0 .25% is extremely small.
Generally speaking the sleeve gastrectomy is most suited to individuals who are either particularly overweight or whose medical condition would rule out other forms of bariatric surgery. In the case of the first category the sleeve gastrectomy would generally form the first of a two-part weight loss plan, with follow-up bariatric surgery being undertaken once the patient's weight has fallen sufficiently to permit other forms of surgery to be done.
Author Resource:-
GastricBypassFacts.info provides detailed information on the vertical sleeve gastrectomy and the sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch including detail of the duodenum function and the role of the jejunum tubes.
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