What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Contemporary weight loss clinics have several minimally invasive bariatric surgery options. When combined with robotic surgical technology, these minimally invasive procedures become even less invasive. The surgeon, assisted by robotic technology, is able to see better and make more precise movements through smaller incisions. The recovery is less painful, and patients can return to normal activity soon.

Several bariatric procedures are available, including lap band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve. The gastric sleeve procedure, also known as a gastrectomy, is less invasive than the duodenal switch or the gastric bypass, but it yields similar results. The procedure involves removal of a portion of the stomach, and a “sleeve” is left in its place, connecting the esophagus to the intestine. It is a less complicated procedure than other bariatric options because it does not require rearranging any internal organs. Many surgeons now prefer the gastric sleeve, particularly as a first step for patients with a higher body mass index (BMI).

For patients with a BMI of 50 or higher, the gastric sleeve procedure is a safer first step that allows a patient to lose weight before more complicated procedures follow. Even as a stand-alone procedure, the gastric bypass is a surgery that offers most of the benefits of the alternatives with fewer complications. In contrast, duodenal switch is a much more drastic type of surgery.

In addition to the stomach reduction component also found in the gastric sleeve procedure, there is also an intestinal bypass component in which the small intestine is cut and rearranged to limit the amount of food your body absorbs. Since your body also absorbs nutrients through the small intestine, you will need nutritional supplements after the duodenal switch procedure.

In Brevard County, Florida, Dr. Diego Velarde at the Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute in Merritt Island has over ten years of clinical practice and specializes in bariatric surgery. There are several types of bariatric surgery, including lap band, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Velarde performs minimally invasive robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical Robot which allows an increased range of motion and more precise movements.