Weight Loss Operations: Sleeve Gastrectomy
By WLR Dietitian
Juliette Kellow BSc RD
This operation reduces the size of the stomach by around 75 percent. The stomach is divided vertically from top to bottom, leaving a banana shaped stomach along the inside curve. The stomach still functions as normal, but is much smaller so that people who have this operation can only eat small meals.
The operation is usually done by keyhole surgery and requires a 1-2 night stay in hospital. Most people lose 30-50 percent of their excess weight in the first 12 months. This operation is sometimes carried out as the first step in a two-part procedure for extremely obese people with a BMI of 60 or more, where other procedures are more risky to them. After 12 to 18 months of receiving a sleeve gastrectomy, these people may then go on to have a gastric bypass or duodenal switch.
For more information read Juliette's Weight Loss Surgery Info.
