Sleeve Gastrectomy - Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The sleeve gastrectomy is a type of weight loss surgery that involves removing the outer (lateral) 3/4ths of the stomach. The gastric sleeve surgery is usually done laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) and is not reversible. It basically leaves a stomach sleeve (tube) instead of a stomach sack. Perth based Dr. Padovan has been performing the sleeve gastrectomy procedure since 2003. His weight loss surgery training was at the University of Pittsburgh which was one of the early adopters of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Why choose the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

1. Your quality of eating with the gastric sleeve is superior to the band or bypass. For example, patients with the sleeve can eat any food once the staple line has healed and in small volumes.*
2. With a gastric sleeve the amount of weight reduction is in the region of 60-70% of excess weight over the first 1-2 years with a modest regain long term!*
3. Gastric sleeve surgery is a good option for FIFO workers and/or people living in remote areas because it is a “set and forget” operation which requires less post op follow up or nutritional supplements.*
4. There is no malabsorption of nutrients.*
5. At Emerge Surgical we now have 7-9 years of follow up data on patients who underwent the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery and it shows that the weight loss is maintained even after 7 years. There are theoretical concerns that the stomach tube may stretch over time leading to late weight regain.* The extent of this is currently unknown.
6. There are no long term risks of slippage or erosion which are associated with the band.*
7. Operative risks are slightly higher than the adjustable gastric band but lower than the gastric bypass.* The operative risks decrease with your surgeon’s experience. Dr Padovan has performed over 400 sleeve gastrectomies.
8. With gastric sleeve surgery the staple line leak is the most serious complication occurring in 1-2% of the patients.* Of note, Dr. Padovan’s leak rate is currently 0.2% despite the fact he performs a lot of complicated revisional surgery.
9. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a good revisional surgery option for patients who have the adjustable gastric band and have regained weight or have experienced complications.* This can be done as a single stage or a two stage procedure depending upon the amount of scar tissue encountered intraoperatively in the area where the band was.
10. If there is weight regain with the gastric sleeve, a gastric bypass can be performed, often laparoscopically as well.*

*Results may vary for individual patients. Please consult your surgeon.