What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?

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What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?
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• A Sleeve Gastrectomy is a surgical procedure
  aimed at reducing the volume of the stomach to
  about 15 of what it was. Reducing the volume of
  the stomach means that less food is consumed
  before a feeling of fullness occurs. By eating
  less food to receive the same sense of
  satisfaction of feeling full it becomes easier
  to lose weight since the amount of energy one is
  consuming is actually less than what it would
  have been with the stomach at its complete
  volumetric capacity.

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• This procedure has been a staple bariatric
  option for surgeons for over 20 years, but new
  techniques in the how the procedure is delivered
  have made it safer over the last few years.
• Whilst the long-term results of newer techniques
  are as yet unknown, sleeve gastrectomy is
  currently considered one of the three major
  operations offered for tackling obesity, together
  with gastric banding and bypass.

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• Each of these surgical procedures has advantages
  and disadvantages and are worth discussing in
  full with your batiatric surgeon at consultation
  if you are considering weight loss surgery.
• It is important to weigh up the option with your
  surgeon on what is the best procedure for you and
  your situation as there are many different
  factors affecting which process will best suit
  you and your situation. Things to consider are
  costs, whether the surgery you wish to have is
  reversible or not, recovery time and the
  long-term impacts on your life.

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• These questions can all be discussed at length
  with your bariatric surgeon prior to any final
  decisions being made and your surgeon should take
  all of the above into consideration when advising
  you on your best course of action.
• This week I am in Melbourne training on several
  new modifications of the technique for sleeve
  gastrectomy which I will introduce into practice
  to make the procedure safer than earlier versions
  of this procedure.