Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedures Offered at Tampa General Hospital’s Bariatric Center
A sleeve gastrectomy is a common weight loss surgery in which part of the stomach is removed to limit a person’s food intake. This is a restrictive procedure; it is not designed to interfere with the absorption of food once it has entered the body. However, because a person will only be able to consume small amounts of food following the surgery, lifelong nutritional supplementation is required. Sleeve gastrectomies are not reversible.
At Tampa General Hospital, our board-certified surgeons are highly experienced with gastrectomies and other weight loss procedures, having helped more than 5,000 patients achieve lasting weight loss and quality of life improvements since opening starting our bariatrics program in 1998. During a sleeve gastrectomy, our surgeons use a stapling device to separate the stomach into two parts. The large, bag-like section of the stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin (the fundus) is removed from the body. The small, remaining section of the stomach collects and digests food.
Following a sleeve gastrectomy, patients typically experience:
- Fewer hunger cravings, especially in regards to sweet foods
- Feelings of fullness after consuming smaller amounts of food (the stomach is reduced by more than half during a sleeve gastrectomy)
- Significant reduction of excess body weight – up to 60 percent – throughout the following year
Because sleeve gastrectomies are often performed as minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedures, the complication rate is generally low. Nationwide, the mortality rate is approximately 0.1 percent.
A sleeve gastrectomy is not right for everyone, nor is it is a quick fix for obesity. Tampa General’s surgeons, bariatricians, and other medical professionals will assess each patient’s needs to determine which procedure, if any, is appropriate. Before a patient is approved for a sleeve gastrectomy, he or she must complete at least six months of weight loss counseling and commit to a post-surgical support group. Patients must also make significant lifestyle changes after the operation. A commitment to healthy eating, portion control, and regular physical activity is crucial for sustaining long-term results.
If you’ve been diagnosed as clinically obese and are considering a sleeve gastrectomy to lose weight, you can learn more about the procedure by attending one of our bariatric surgery information sessions. For more information about weight loss surgery at TGH, email bariatriccenter@tgh.org or call (813) 844-7473.