The sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive type of weight loss surgery in which in the region of 85% of the stomach is surgically removed leaving a sleeve shaped stomach with a substantially reduced capacity ranging from about 60 to 150 cc. As distinct from the majority of other types of weight loss surgery, the outlet valve and the nerves to the stomach are left in place and, although the stomach is drastically reduced in volume, its function is unchanged. Again, unlike other types of weight loss surgery like the time honored Roux-en-Y gastric bypass the sleeve gastrectomy cannot be reversed.

Because the newly fashioned stomach functions as normal there are far fewer restrictions when it comes to the foods which patients can consume after surgery, even if the quantity of food eaten will be considerably reduced. Many patients see this as being one of the chief advantages of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, as well as the fact that removing most of the stomach also causes the effective elimination of the hormones that are produced in the stomach and which stimulate hunger.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of the sleeve gastrectomy lies in the fact that it does not bypass the intestines so that patients do not thus suffer the complications of bypass including intestinal obstruction, osteoporosis, vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency. It also makes it a fitting form of surgery for patients who are already suffering from anemia, Crohn's disease and various other conditions that would put them at high risk for surgery involving intestinal bypass.

Finally, it is one of of only a few types of weight loss surgery which can be performed laparoscopically in patients who are extremely overweight.

Perhaps the chief disadvantage of the sleeve gastrectomy is that it does not always create the loss in weight which patients want and may even result in weight regain in the longer term. This is of course the case with any form of purely restrictive weight loss surgery but it is possibly especially true in the case of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Because the procedure requires stapling of the stomach patients do run the risk from leaks and of other complications which are specifically related to stapling. In addition, as is the case with any operation, patients run the risk of complications including post-operative bleeding, small bowel obstruction, pneumonia and even death. The chances of encountering these complications is luckily very small and varies from about 0.5 and 1%. This said, the chance of dying from this form of operation at about 0 .25% is very small indeed.

In general the sleeve gastrectomy is most suitable for patients who are either extremely overweight or whose medical condition would rule out other types of weight loss surgery. In the case of the first category of patient the sleeve gastrectomy would normally form the first of a two-part weight loss plan, with additional surgery being undertaken once the individual's weight has fallen enough to allow other types of weight loss surgery to be done.