Gastric Sleeve Specialist

What is the gastric sleeve?

The gastric sleeve is a type of bariatric surgery that involves surgical removal of about 80% of your stomach, leaving behind a small tubular pouch the size of a banana. The bariatric surgeons at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia divide your stomach using a stapling device to create the “gastric sleeve.” 

Decreasing the size of your stomach helps you feel full faster, helping you eat less and lose weight. Unlike the gastric bypass procedure, your stomach isn’t rerouted, and the food you eat passes normally through your digestive tract.

When possible, the surgical team at the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia performs the gastric sleeve procedure using minimally invasive approaches, including robotic bariatric surgery or laparoscopic bariatric surgery. The minimally invasive surgical procedures may decrease your hospital stay, overall discomfort, and risk of complications.  

What are the benefits of the gastric sleeve?

When it comes to weight-loss surgical procedures, you have many options. But the gastric sleeve offers many benefits, including:

• Loss of up to 65% of excess body weight over three years
• Improvement or complete resolution of high blood pressure
• Better control over diabetes
• Lower cholesterol
• Decreased operating time

You may also have better hunger control after your gastric sleeve procedure because your surgeon removes the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin, also called the hunger hormone.

What can I expect during gastric sleeve recovery?

With a minimally invasive approach, you may only need to spend one night at the hospital. Once discharged, you may feel some soreness at the site of your incision, but over-the-counter pain medication should ease your discomfort. 

During your recovery, it’s essential that you adhere to your post-op bariatric diet as outlined by your surgeon. The diet progresses in three stages:

Stage 1

Stage 1 of your post-op diet consists of sugar-free, clear liquids, such as sugar-free gelatin, water, and broth. You may only need to follow this diet while at the hospital.

Stage 2A

The day after your gastric sleeve surgery, your diet is advanced to stage 2A, which consists of sugar-free beverages and protein shakes. You follow this diet for one week.

Stage 2B

Stage 2B consists of blended and pureed foods, which you follow for up to two weeks. 

At your two-week post-op appointment, your bariatric surgeon may advance your diet as tolerated to regular foods and provide specific instructions regarding food choices, portion sizes, meal frequency, and fluid needs.

You also need to take vitamin supplements daily to reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin D, calcium, iron, and vitamin B12.

To schedule a consultation and learn more about the gastric sleeve, such as if it’s a weight-loss option for you, contact the Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia by phone or online today.