Benefits and Risks of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?

The main benefits of gastric sleeve surgery include a permanent reduction in the size of the patient's stomach, resulting in a reduced capacity to ingest food, as well as reduction in appetite due to the absence of the hunger stimulating hormone Grehlin. In addition, gastric sleeve surgery is:

• Safer than gastric bypass for patients with certain health risks
• Carries a lower risk of ulcers that can occur along the reconstructed exit pathway of the stomach compared to gastric bypass
• Removes the part of the stomach that produces Grehlin, a stomach hormone that stimulates hunger
• Stomach entrance and exit openings remain intact allowing digestion as normal (no dumping syndrome)
• Requires no need for implantation of medical devices as in gastric band surgery

Possible complications

Any surgical procedure carries certain risks including the possibility of an adverse reaction to anesthesia and medications; bleeding; death; dehydration; diarrhea; heart attack; infection; injury to surrounding organs; lung problems (such as pneumonia and pulmonary embolism); nausea; pain; stroke; thrombosis (blood clots); and vomiting.

Complications specific to gastric sleeve surgery can include:

• Problems with the stapling, including leaking and bleeding
• Some patients need malabsorptive surgery -- intestinal bypass or duodenal switch -- in addition to sleeve gastrectomy in order to lose all the weight they need and want to lose
• The smaller portion of the stomach may stretch
• Some foods may cause discomfort, nausea or vomiting after surgery
• Gastric surgery puts patients at higher than normal risk of developing gallstones and gallbladder disease

Every bariatric surgical candidate should discuss thoroughly with their surgeon and primary care physician the pros and cons of any procedure they might consider.