Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a procedure designed to help individuals achieve significant weight loss. It involves reducing the size of the stomach to limit food intake and influence hunger-regulating hormones. This surgical intervention is considered irreversible, as the anatomical changes to the stomach cannot be undone.
The Permanent Nature of Gastric Sleeve
The permanent nature of gastric sleeve surgery results from physical modifications to the stomach. Surgeons remove a large portion, typically 75% to 80% of its original size. This removal reduces the stomach’s capacity, transforming it into a narrow, tube-shaped “sleeve.”
The surgical process usually involves a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach, using small incisions in the abdomen. The remaining stomach is then stapled to form the new, smaller pouch. Because the excised stomach tissue is completely removed and not bypassed, it cannot be reattached or restored to its original form.
Addressing Post-Sleeve Challenges
While the gastric sleeve is not reversible, patients who experience complications or challenges after the initial surgery do have options. If issues such as severe acid reflux, inadequate weight loss, or weight regain occur, other bariatric procedures known as “revision surgeries” can be performed. These revisions do not restore the stomach to its original state but modify the existing sleeve or convert it to a different type of weight loss surgery.
Examples of revision surgeries include converting the gastric sleeve to a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or a duodenal switch. A conversion to gastric bypass can address persistent acid reflux or provide further weight loss, as it creates a smaller stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine. Similarly, a duodenal switch involves a small bowel bypass in addition to the sleeve, aiming for greater weight loss outcomes.
Long-Term Commitment and Care
Undergoing gastric sleeve surgery requires a sustained commitment from the patient to ensure lasting health and weight loss success. Adherence to dietary guidelines is a lifelong requirement. Patients typically transition through different dietary phases post-surgery, starting with clear liquids and gradually introducing soft foods before moving to a regular diet.
Consistent intake of specific vitamin and mineral supplements is also necessary for life due to altered nutrient absorption. Common recommendations include a daily multivitamin with iron, calcium citrate (1,200–1,500 milligrams per day), and vitamin D3 (3,000 international units or 75 micrograms daily). Regular follow-up appointments with the bariatric care team, including dietitians and surgeons, are important to monitor nutritional status, assess progress, and address potential long-term complications.