Conditions

Sleeve Gastrectomy

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Sleeve Gastrectomy

A sleeve gastrectomy is a type of weight loss surgery that limits the amount of food you can eat, which in turn helps you feel full sooner. In this procedure, most of the stomach is removed except for a thin, vertical “sleeve” that’s about the size of a banana. The food you eat passes through the digestive tract in the normal way and is allowed to be fully absorbed in the body.

The REALIZE® Solution for Sleeve Gastrectomy can lead to significant weight loss and improved health. People who undergo this type of procedure have been shown to lose an average of 55% of their excess weight.40

A sleeve gastrectomy can be performed with a traditional “open” procedure, where a large incision is used to view and perform the surgery. But most sleeve gastrectomies performed today use a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique40. This type of approach usually results in a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery, with smaller scars and less pain than open procedures.

For in-depth information on a sleeve gastrectomy procedure, visit: http://www.realize.com/dtcf/pages/gastric-sleeve-surgery.htm

Site References

Talking to your Surgeon about Sleeve Gastrectomy

The bariatric surgeon who performs your weight loss surgery will be a part of your support team for years to come, so it’s important to feel at ease with him or her, along with the entire staff in the office. Most importantly, you need to get all the information you can and make sure any questions you have about the procedure itself are answered completely.

Here are some questions you can use to get the conversation started:

Surgeon credentials and experience
  • Are you board certified?
  • Do you perform the majority of your procedures through open surgery or using a laparoscopic technique?
  • What types of bariatric surgery procedures do you perform?
  • How many of each bariatric procedure have you performed?
  • Are you associated with/member of a Bariatric Center of Excellence?
About the procedures
  • Which bariatric procedure is best for me? Why? What are the risks involved?
  • If I decide to have bariatric surgery, what will you expect of me?
  • How long will I be in surgery?
  • How long will I be in the hospital?

Don’t like the answers you get? Consider getting a second opinion. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the treatment and the surgeon you’ve selected.

Finding a Surgeon

To locate a surgeon in your area who offers the sleeve gastrectomy procedure, try our Find a Physician tool.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Resources

For a more in-depth look at the sleeve gastrectomy procedure, visit: http://www.realize.com/dtcf/pages/gastric-sleeve-surgery.htm


If you choose to research weight loss surgery on your own (via the Internet or your local library) be sure your sources are reliable. They should be from responsible and recognized experts in the field you’re investigating. Below are some recommended web sites to visit.

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Did you know?

One recent study showed that 2 years after patients underwent bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery), they had lost and kept off 59% of their excess body weight.79

Site References

 

Find a Surgeon

Whether you choose to have conventional surgery or to have a Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), it is important that you have a surgeon who is experienced and qualified to perform the proce- dure. Use the tips below to ensure that your surgeon has the proper credentials.

To locate a surgeon in your area experienced with MIS, click here.