Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Dr. Umbach is a premier Las Vegas weight loss surgeon who specializes in a range of advanced bariatric procedures, including gastric sleeve surgery. Gastric sleeve, which is also often referred to as sleeve gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), used to be initially performed as the first part of a two-stage weight loss treatment. However, this operation has proven to be extremely effective in treating obesity when performed as a stand-alone procedure.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a restrictive type of procedure that permanently reduces the size of the stomach, thereby limiting food intake as well as the sensation of hunger. This procedure does not involve intestinal rerouting or malabsorption unless followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and uses only the patient’s own natural tissues.

The gastric sleeve combines many of the benefits of both the gastric band and the gastric bypass, including:

• Performed laparoscopically as an outpatient surgery
• Avoids the technical and long-term difficulties of the gastric bypass
• No maintenance problems or artificial implants like those associated with gastric banding
• Weight loss is comparable to that of the gastric bypass
• The hunger hormone, ghrelin, is virtually eliminated
• Significant improvements in diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea
• Recommended by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve is performed through the laparoscopic weight loss surgery approach to remove approximately 80 percent of the patient’s stomach along the greater curvature, leaving only a long tube (or “sleeve”) for the new, much smaller, stomach pouch. The new stomach pouch is then stapled, and the small intestine is left intact. Finally, the portion of the stomach removed from the body during gastric sleeve surgery is known to produce a hunger-stimulating hormone called ghrelin.

Most Las Vegas gastric sleeve surgery patients who receive this treatment are able to lose 50 percent of their excess body weight during the first six to 12 months following treatment. However, in order to achieve success, patients must follow postoperative instructions and lifestyle changes provided by Dr. Tom Umbach, who is recognized as a leading Las Vegas gastric sleeve surgery specialist.

Recovery time associated with gastric sleeve surgery is minimal. The majority of patients are able to return to work within one to two weeks following surgery. Commonly, patients travel to Las Vegas, have the surgery on Friday and return home early the next day. During the first two weeks, patients may be asked to follow a strict liquid diet in order to allow the stomach to heal and then slowly progress from soft to solid foods.

To learn more about your gastric sleeve surgery candidacy or schedule a consultation, please call our office.