Laparoscopic Sleeve gastrectomy
This irreversible operation, where a large part of the stomach is removed, is increasing in popularity. From being a large reservoir, the stomach becomes a narrow tube. This reduction means that patients experience early and prolonged satiety with very small portions of food.
The part of the stomach that is removed produces a hormone (Ghrelin) that causes hunger feeling and cravings with that part of the stomach gone, the level of Ghrelin drops and as a result patients lack any feeling of hunger.
Because there is no foreign body (like the gastric band) there is no risk of erosion into the stomach tube.
The weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy is quicker than after gastric banding and short-term results are good. Unfortunately, as yet, there is no long-term follow up data.