If you’re struggling to lose weight, you may want to consider one of the most successful weight-loss surgeries of all time. The gastric sleeve, or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, permanently changes the size of your stomach, so you eat less. You’ll feel fuller faster and for longer, setting yourself up for consistent and sustainable weight loss. 

What is a gastric sleeve?

The gastric sleeve is one of the most popular weight-loss surgeries available — more than half of bariatric surgery patients choose the gastric sleeve for their treatment. 

Put simply, the gastric sleeve is a way to induce weight loss by reducing the size of your stomach. With a smaller stomach, you physically can’t eat as much food, resulting in a reduced appetite and significant weight loss. Gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of your stomach to about 20% of its original size. 

How does it work? 

The surgeons at Atlanta Body Institute perform gastric sleeve surgery under general anesthesia. You’ll be resting during your procedure and won’t feel a thing. Most of the time, our surgeons perform gastric sleeves laparoscopically — that means with minimally invasive techniques. During laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon inserts a light and a tiny camera along with the surgical instruments to cut away a portion of your stomach. A small, banana-shaped portion of your stomach remains, and your surgeon closes up the tiny incisions with sutures. 

In rare cases, your surgeon might determine that an open surgery is necessary. If that happens, your surgeon will perform the gastric sleeve procedure with a larger incision. 

What happens after gastric sleeve surgery?

After your gastric sleeve surgery, you’ll wake from the anesthesia in the recovery area. Your surgeon will give you detailed post-op instructions to follow, including a special diet that will help your stomach heal. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter. 

In terms of weight loss, you can expect to lose 50-80% of your excess weight after surgery, usually over the course of one to two years. For example, if you currently weigh 300 pounds and your body weight should be 150 pounds, you have 150 pounds of extra body weight. After gastric sleeve surgery, you can expect to lose 75-120 pounds. 

You have the most control over your total weight loss: By starting and sticking to an exercise plan and a healthy diet, you can maximize and sustain your weight loss. 

As far as recovery goes, most gastric sleeve patients return to work about two to three weeks after surgery. If you have an active job, you may need to wait longer. You can return to exercise and most other activities four to six weeks after surgery. Your doctor at Atlanta Body Institute will advise you on the best recovery timeline. 

Gastric sleeve success rate

Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most successful weight-loss surgeries available with a two-year success rate of 95.1%, in regard to excess weight loss. 

To learn more about gastric sleeve surgery, visit our gastric sleeve FAQ. If you’re ready to take control of your weight and your health, call Atlanta Body Institute today, or schedule an appointment online at one of our three Atlanta area locations.