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Recently we have noticed that more and more patients are choosing to have a laparoscopic gastric sleeve operation. I have now performed over 80 of these operations and patients seem to be generally very pleased with the results. Their weight loss is quite good having lost an average of 87 lbs in the first year which is 78% of their excess weight. The range of weight loss is between 41% and 102% of their excess weight.
The weight loss appears to occurring in a very similar fashion to the weight loss from a gastric bypass. nearly all of the weight is lost in the first year.
There is no rearranging of the small intestine and therefore vitamins and calcium are not medically necessary although still a good idea.
A gastric sleeve operation is likely to improve or resolve many obesity related medical problems such as sleep apnea, urinary stress incontinence and high cholesterol but it is not as good as a gastric bypass to resolve type II diabetes or severe gastroesophageal reflux.
The complication rates are low and the two most frequent problems have become even more infrequent in our practice over the last year. Fairly early in our series we had two people who had leaks along the staple line and two patients had narrowing of the sleeve which was treated with revision to a gastric bypass. Neither of these problems have occurred since we have gained more experience with the procedure but they are still a possibility.
All operations have been able to be performed laparoscopically with no conversion to open operation.
All commercial insurance companies in our area cover a gastric sleeve except Anthem/Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.
I feel a gastric sleeve operation is an excellent option for patients who do not have severe type II diabetes or severe gastroesophageal reflux disease.
i am pre-diabetic but i have always had reflux problems which are mostly resolved with Prilosec. i am still trying to decide-bypass or sleve.
ReplyDeleteIf you need to take Prilosec daily to keep your symptoms at bay a standard gastric sleeve may make your reflux worse. However, you may still consider a gastric sleeve if it is combined with a procedure to improve your reflux.
ReplyDeleteIf you do not need to take Prilosec daily you will probably need to continue on a daily dose for several months but your reflux will probably improve as you lose weight from your gastric sleeve operation. If you still have questions and you are proceeding through our program please ask the staff to make a personal appointment with me so we can discuss this issue.
What are the long term differences between the sleeve and the bypass? Is weight loss as reliably sustained long term with the sleeve? I'm having a difficult time deciding which way to go. I like the nutritional "positives" of the sleeve, but am not willing to sacrifice long term success to get them... I'm not considering the band, becaues success rate is considerably lower long term...
ReplyDeleteI have read your earlier post about the approval of this surgery by the insurance carriers. I need to know that by chance if a patient dies during or after the operation will the carrier do claim some amount in those circumstances.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing. what exactly is laparoscopic
ReplyDeleteyou are quite clear with laparoscopy
ReplyDeleteObviously, if the patients will receive a speedy recovery, as will become more popular and people continue that treatment. The same thing happen in Gastric Sleeve Operation
ReplyDeleteLap band? is it the best solution? I'm obese but I think lapband is a big decission that will just endanger our lives. When I look for a possible solution over the internet, there are many diet pills, different kinds of weight loss tips and programs..but which one is the best? Lapband may sound interesting but I got some information about the Roca Labs Formula that will give you a gastric bypass result but no surgerry at all!...isn't it more interesting?
ReplyDelete