Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The gastric sleeve is more invasive than a gastric band, but not such a major operation as a gastric bypass. Itmay therefore suit patients for whom the bypass is inadvisable due to health complications.Usually,patients most suitable to have gastric sleeve surgery are those with a BMI of 40kg/m2 or over, although if your BMI is between 30kg/m2 and 40kg/m2, you may be considered, especially if you have obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and even more so if you are from an Asian background (source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline 189, 2014). However, surgery is dependent on a bariatric surgeon’s opinion and your individual circumstances. All our weight-loss surgery patients have an in-depth consultation prior to surgery to discuss the most suitable procedure for them.

You will normally stay in hospital for 2-3 nights after your surgery.

The sleeve is a procedure that reduces the stomach size. It is less invasive than the bypass, which also involves re-routing and re-connecting the intestines.

No. Like the bypass, the sleeve is a non-reversible procedure.

The sleeve works to reduce portion sizes, not specific food types. Compared to the bypass, there are fewer restrictions on the types of food that patients can consume. However, some patients may struggle with certain textures of food such as bread or red meat.

We want you to make a fully informed decision before you go ahead with surgery, so we offer a private consultation at your local clinic free of charge. At your consultation, you’ll meet with a bariatric surgeon to discuss the weight loss options available and whether gastric sleeve surgery is the most suitable procedure for your needs. You’ll be able to ask questions about all aspects of the surgery, from aftercare and dietary changes to the results you can expect. You’ll also meet your patient care coordinator, who will be with you every step of the journey. They will give you a personal quotation of costs and information about finance options, the expected timescale, our surgical facilities and door-to-door transport services.

At your consultation, you can book your surgery if you feel ready, but there’s no obligation to go ahead.Bariatric surgery is a big step and you may want to take time to do more research and think about your decision. We’ll give you a patient information booklet, which provides comprehensive information on your weight loss procedure, aftercare and dietary guidelines. This is an important resource and we require patients to read the detailed information it contains. You’ll also find lots of helpful information here on our website – you can read about our surgeons’ qualifications, THG’s weight loss management expertise and inspiring stories from some of our patients. Our patient care coordinators are available to discuss any concerns you may have. And when you feel ready, they can book you in for your procedure. We also have a 14-day ‘cooling off’ period in place, which means that if you change your mind about the procedure after booking within that period, you will not be charged.

On the day of your surgery, your medical team will make your experience as comfortable as possible and you’ll meet your surgeon again before the procedure. The gastric sleeve procedure is usually carried out as keyhole surgery. It involves vertical removal of up to 75% of the stomach area to leave a thin sleeve. The stomach continues to function as normal, but the smaller sizerestricts the amount you can eat and makes you feel full after smaller meals. It also aims to drop appetite hormone levels to reduce your appetite. Less stomach acid is produced, which can affect the absorption of some vitamins and minerals and so supplements are required for life. Gastric sleeve surgery is non-reversible.

We’ll be here throughout the recovery process to help you recuperate quickly.For gastric sleeve surgery you’ll need to stay in the hospital where your surgery has taken place for 2-3 nights. Each patient is given a personalised care plan, developed on the advice of their surgeon. All THG hospitals are equipped to the highest standards of clinical care and patient comfort.

When you have a gastric sleeve, the surgery is only the start of your journey. At THG, we offer a full package of aftercare support to help you achieve your weight loss goals. You’ll benefit from the following aftercare for 2 years: Access to a dedicated weight loss support team who can help with booking appointments, emotional support, practical ideas and solutions Specialist support from a bariatric surgeon, dietitians and nurses Surgical cover for 6 months 24-hour emergency telephone helpline.