If you are considering bariatric surgery to lose weight, there are a few different options. Two of the most effective minimally-invasive procedures that we offer at The Weight Loss Surgery Center of Los Angeles are gastro sleeve and gastro plication surgery. Both of these procedures reduce the size of your stomach – it will only hold 3-4 ounces – and neither requires a re-routing of your digestive system. However, there are key differences that can help you determine which may be right for you.
What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
A gastric sleeve or a sleeve gastrectomy is a bariatric procedure that removes an estimated 80% of your stomach. The surgery is performed using minimally-invasive methods – a few small incisions are made in the abdomen and tiny instruments are used to access the stomach and perform the procedure. The rounded bottom of the stomach is removed, and the opening is stapled shut to seal the stomach.
Gastric sleeve has the benefit of vastly decreasing the size of the stomach to reduce how much you can eat at one time. It also changes how much ghrelin, the “hunger hormone,” is produced. This can limit your hunger in the brain and help you feel more satisfied with less food. Most patients with sleeve gastrectomy surgery can lose 60% of their excess fat.
Gastric sleeve surgery is very effective, but it is a permanent procedure. Once the stomach is removed, the procedure cannot be reversed.
What Is Gastric Plication Surgery?
Gastric plication surgery also involves a minimally-invasive procedure performed through small incisions in the abdomen. Unlike gastric sleeve, no portion of the stomach is removed. Instead, the stomach is folded and sutured to create a smaller stomach space. The stomach is reduced by about 70% to hold 3-4 ounces of food at each meal.
Gastric plication is a newer procedure than sleeve gastrectomy. It is desirable for many patients as it has similar benefits to the gastric sleeve but without permanent changes to the stomach. It is possible to reverse the procedure, but this is not guaranteed, and it does require going through another surgery to restore the stomach to its former size.
Which Is Right for You?
Any bariatric surgery is a major decision. Both gastric plication and sleeve procedures are less invasive than gastric bypass surgery and have fewer possible complications. Patients can lose over 60% of their excess weight with both procedures in one to two years, but they must adhere to lifestyle changes to maintain their weight loss. Most patients must have a BMI of at least 30 to qualify for bariatric surgery, and there are other considerations to ensure that either procedure is right for you.
Dr. David Dayton at The Weight Loss Surgery of Los Angeles is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the country. Not only has he helped hundreds of patients achieve a healthier, happier life through bariatric procedures, but he also is a bariatric patient who had his procedure performed over 20 years ago. To learn more about the various bariatric procedures we offer and whether you are a candidate, come see us for a complimentary consultation.
Posted on behalf of Dr. David G. Davtyan MD, FACS, FICS
