The gastric sleeve resection was initially conceived as the first stage of a more involved procedure called the biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). The BPD is rarely performed today due to the severe nutritional deficiencies that it produces. Doctors recognized that some patients had significant weight loss with only the first stage of this operation, so the “sleeve” is now performed as a stand-alone weight loss procedure.
The gastric sleeve resection involves the permanent removal of over 80% of the stomach. This turns the stomach into a long, narrow tube using a row of staples. Patients frequently require a 2-3 day hospital stay after surgery. The risk of complications is slightly better than the gastric bypass, with similar short-term weight loss results. The long-term results and risks are less well-known. As this is a relatively new procedure, many insurance companies do not provide coverage.
Physicians & Staff
The gastric sleeve resection was initially conceived as the first stage of a more involved procedure called the biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). The BPD is rarely performed today due to the severe nutritional deficiencies that it produces. Doctors recognized that some patients had significant weight loss with only the first stage of this operation, so the “sleeve” is now performed as a stand-alone weight loss procedure.