Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve surgery, is a form of bariatric surgery to aid weight loss in patients suffering from obesity or morbid obesity. Sleeve gastrectomy is highly effective for weight loss, and our experienced Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery team carries out the surgery at our well-established surgery center in Birmingham, Alabama.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Near You
BMI Surgery performs laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery, which involves making five small incisions in the abdomen. Dr. Jay C. Long, your surgeon, will use a laparoscope equipped with a camera to perform the sleeve gastrectomy. This approach offers several benefits, including less discomfort and faster patient recovery.
During gastric sleeve surgery, the stomach size is reduced by removing the upper outer portion of the stomach where the hormone of hunger is produced, resulting in a long, narrow, banana-shaped stomach. This process restricts the amount of food patients consume, thus reducing caloric intake and encouraging subsequent weight loss. Notably, gastric sleeve surgery does not affect nutrient absorption, although it lowers the hunger hormone that regulates appetite.
The surgery usually takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. From our Birmingham, Alabama office location, BMI Surgery offers this procedure to clients in Huntsville and beyond.
To explore your options for gastric sleeve surgery, Huntsville is a short drive from our Birmingham, AL location.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Advantages:
- Significant weight loss: Gastric sleeve surgery can help patients lose a significant amount of weight, often up to 60-70% of their excess weight.
- Improved health: The surgery can improve several health conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
- Reduced hunger: The surgery reduces the hormone production that stimulates hunger, leading to decreased appetite and increased feelings of fullness.
- Shorter hospital stay: Recovery time is generally faster, with a shorter hospital stay than other weight loss surgeries.
Disadvantages:
- Surgery risks: As with any surgery, gastric sleeve surgery carries some risks, including bleeding, infection, and blood clots.
- Irreversibility: Gastric sleeve surgery is irreversible, and patients will need to follow a strict diet and exercise routine for the rest of their lives to maintain their weight loss.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Patients who have undergone gastric sleeve surgery may need supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies, as the surgery reduces the amount of food consumed.
- Cost: The surgery can be expensive, and not all insurance plans cover it. Please contact us to discuss your insurance coverage options.
What Are the Criteria for Qualifying for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
The most reliable way to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve surgery is to consult with a qualified bariatric surgeon. Dr. Jay C. Long is a board-certified general surgeon with expertise in laparoscopic surgery and fellowship training in bariatric surgery. He has been performing weight loss surgeries since 2002 and is a highly regarded surgeon at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery.
If you’re considering sleeve gastrectomy, you can contact BMI via phone at 205-833-6907 or use our online form to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Long at our facility in Birmingham, Alabama. During your consultation, he will review your weight loss surgery options and help you make an informed decision.
