What is a Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?

Minimally invasive sleeve gastrectomy surgery is a very effective procedure to help obese patients lose weight. The operation involves the removal of part or all of the stomach, which results in a patient eating less and losing weight. Sometimes referred to as a gastric sleeve, a sleeve gastrectomy can help those who qualify lose more than 20% of their total body weight in approximately a year.

A minimally invasive gastric sleeve procedure can have significant advantages over traditional open surgery, including:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery
• Less blood loss
• Able to eat and return to normal bowel function more quickly
• Patients are less likely to need a feeding tube afterward

Why You May Need a Sleeve Gastrectomy

Minimally invasive sleeve gastrectomy is typically used to treat obesity. By making the stomach smaller, it will fill up more quickly and may allow you to eat less. Gastrectomy may also be used to treat stomach problems that aren’t helped by other treatments.

Surgeons perform minimally invasive surgery in a variety of ways, including robotic and laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery employs advanced technology that gives the surgeon the same internal view but without the need for large incisions.

By employing a tiny video camera (called a laparoscope), the surgeon can observe, guide, and successfully perform an array of surgical procedures.

The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

Minimally invasive sleeve gastrectomy surgery involves smaller incisions. It employs the latest state-of-the-art technology to achieve (equal or superior) outcomes to what was only possible in the past through more traditional, open methods.

The benefits of minimally invasive sleeve gastrectomy surgery include:

• Less pain after surgery
• Smaller scars and enhanced cosmetic results
• Lower infection rates
• Decreased blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery time

Not everyone is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. Specific factors need to be taken into account, including:

• The reason for the operation
• Prior stomach or abdominal surgery
• Extreme obesity
• Other serious medical illnesses such as severe heart, vascular, or lung disease

The laparoscopic procedure may not be suitable for patients who are very obese or who have adhesions from prior abdominal surgery. In such cases, a surgeon may not be able to perform specific surgical maneuvers or properly view the surgical field. Consultation with one’s gastric surgeon is essential to determine the best course of medical action to yield optimal results.

The team at Orlando Minimally Invasive Surgery will be happy to consult for a second surgical opinion, especially if patients are interested in learning more about minimally invasive surgery options available for a variety of treatments and procedures.