Sleeve Gastrectomy
The sleeve gastrectomy restricts food intake by permanently reshaping the stomach into a smaller sleeve-like pouch leading directly to the intestines.
How it works
Emory surgeons remove 75-85% of the stomach, creating a smaller gastric sack. This “sleeve” remains connected to the intestines so that food is digested normally.
Post surgery
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The stomach removal helps weight loss in two ways: the remaining sleeve holds significantly less food, and by removing much of the stomach, surgeons are also removing the source for a hormone, Ghrelin, that is responsible for hunger. As a result, patients experience less hunger and feel full more quickly.
Results
With diet and exercise, most patients lose 30 to 50 percent of their excess body weight within a year of the sleeve gastrectomy.
Sleeve Gastrectomy surgical candidates
The ideal candidate for the sleeve gastrectomy will have a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 40, which translates to 100 pounds overweight for men and 80 pounds for women. Surgery may also be an option for people with a BMI between 35 and 40 who suffer from chronic or life threatening complications associated with obesity.
Benefits of sleeve gastrectomy compared to other bariatric surgeries
- Rapid weight loss for 6 months to a year
- Body’s nutritional capacity remains the same (because the link to the intestines stays intact)
- Considerable reduction in obesity-related health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call 404-778-7777 or 1-800-75-EMORY
