Bariatric procedures work in two main ways—by restricting the capacity of the digestive tract or by promoting malabsorption. Both of these mechanisms restrict energy intake and promote weight loss. Whether someone is a candidate for a gastric sleeve or another weight loss procedure depends on several factors and is best determined by a bariatric physician.

Learn more about the gastric sleeve and other weight loss procedures before your bariatric surgery consultation so that you can have an informed discussion with your doctor about which procedure is right for you.

The Gastric Sleeve

The gastric sleeve, or sleeve gastrectomy, is a restrictive procedure, rather than a malabsortive procedure. That means it works by reducing the volume that can be contained by the stomach. When the size of the stomach is reduced, less food can be ingested in a single sitting without discomfort, regulating energy intake and, ultimately, promoting weight loss.

In the gastric sleeve procedure, a large part of the stomach is excised from the body. What remains is reformed into a sleeve-shaped pouch. In addition to regulating food intake by restricting the volume that can be consumed at any given time, the gastric sleeve reduces the release of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, that is produced in the stomach. The gastric sleeve is unique among weight loss procedures for this hormonal effect.

Other Weight Loss Procedures

Other weight loss procedures include the gastric bypass, gastric band, and duodenal switch. Gastric banding, like the gastric sleeve, is a restrictive weight loss procedure. Gastric banding involves sectioning off a piece of the stomach with an inflatable balloon. The gastric sleeve is permanent because part of the stomach is actually removed from the body, while the gastric band is adjustable or even reversible. While sleeve gastrectomy patients lose an average of 60% of their body weight, gastric band recipients lose 50% or less. Your weight loss goals will determine which of these procedures is right for you.

Malabsorptive procedures like the gastric bypass and duodenal switch are more extreme than the sleeve gastrectomy and gastric band procedures. They are more expensive, require more recovery time, and are more difficult to qualify for. These procedures are reserved for patients with the most weight to lose and demand a complete lifestyle transformation to prevent extreme discomfort due to fat malabsorption.

In summary, the gastric sleeve procedure is ideal for patients who would like to lose up to 60% of their body weight with a restrictive procedure that leads to behavior change (although results may vary). Seek out a bariatric surgery clinic for more information on which surgery or surgeries you qualify for and what method of weight management is right for you.