Choosing Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for the Right Reasons
by John Husted, MD and Steven M. Gitt, MD, FACS
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (aka, Gastric Sleeve or VSG) may not be the best known weight loss procedure but it can be very effective for the right patient. Like anything in medicine, it is not the most popular or the best marketed procedure that is best for every patient. Although the Gastric Sleeve may seem new, it has been used in weight loss surgery for 20 years before becoming widely known in the media.
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (aka, Gastric Sleeve or VSG) may not be the best known weight loss procedure but it can be very effective for the right patient. Like anything in medicine, it is not the most popular or the best marketed procedure that is best for every patient. Although the Gastric Sleeve may seem new, it has been used in weight loss surgery for 20 years before becoming widely known in the media.
The Gastric Sleeve is a component of the more complicated Duodenal Switch procedure. Historically, patients that were considered too unhealthy to undergo a Duodenal Switch were recommended to have a Gastric Sleeve first. This would reduce the patient’s weight and improve their health enough to safely finish the Duodenal Switch procedure. Many patients were so happy with their weight loss from the gastric sleeve that they didn’t need to have a second weight loss surgery. This quickly led surgeons to start offing the Gastric Sleeve as a stand alone surgery.
A Gastric Sleeve works by turning the stomach into a “banana shape? that results in patients experiencing a strong feeling of fullness (after only tiny portions of food). Because a large portion of the stomach is removed, the body can’t produce as much Ghrelin, the hormone that causes hunger. After a patient has a Gastric Sleeve, he or she can eat normal food, but a lot less of it. Although patients lose weight from eating less, they also benefit from the metabolic changes occurring in their body. As patients become satisfied with ever smaller meals, their body begins to burn fat faster than when dieting alone.
Weight loss starts immediately after the surgery and is most effective when done within a multidisciplinary surgical weight loss program. Due to the documented improvements in health, several insurances now cover the Gastric Sleeve procedure.
Did you know?
VSG Facts:
- Unlike gastric bypass, the VSG procedure does not require rerouting of the intestines.
- Those who undergo the VSG do not suffer from the dumping syndrome because the pylorus is preserved.
- The VSG is not reversible but can be modified to most other weight loss surgery procedures.
- The surgery is performed laparoscopically.
- Approximately 85% of the stomach is removed when having this surgery.
- The operation can usually be performed under an hour.
- Having the VSG surgery vs. other weight loss procedures, reduces the risk of intestinal obstruction, ulcers, and protein and vitamin deficiency.
John Husted, MD, is a bariatric surgeon at Arizona Weight Loss Solutions (a multidisciplinary surgical weight loss program) in Phoenix, Arizona. To view an animation of the VSG procedure or for more information, please visit WWW.AZWLS.COM or call 480-447-3880. You can also view Dr. Husted’s ObesityHelp profile at http://www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/bariatric-surgeon/dr-john-husted/.
Steven M. Gitt, MD, FACS, is a Plastic Surgeon at North Valley Plastic Surgery, also in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, please visit WWW.NVPSAZ.COM. You can also view Dr. Gitt’s ObesityHelp profile at http://www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/plastic-surgeon/dr-steven-gitt/
We want to hear from you! Have you had the VSG surgery or are considering it? Post your comments below or visit the OH VSG forum.