Weight loss surgery is gaining acceptance in society as more and more people (including well-known celebrities like Randy Jackson, Al Roker, and Star Jones) undergo various types of bariatric surgery. By far one of the best options for overweight Californians is gastric sleeve in Beverly Hills. Gastric sleeve (or sleeve gastrectomy) has a number of benefits that make it more desirable to patients considering weight loss surgery and the surgeons who perform the procedures alike.
1) Gastric Sleeve is More Effective than Gastric Bypass
According to a scientific review of laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery published in 20101patients lost, on average, 62% of excess weight within months after their gastric sleeve procedures. Other studies have put that number between 65% and 74%. That’s very close to the results seen in Lap-Band® procedures and much higher than average results for gastric bypass patients2 (just 42% of excess body weight).
2) It’s Comparable in Price to Gastric Bypass in Beverly Hills
A survey of 14 surgical practices found that there was only a $600 difference in price (on average) between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. Gastric sleeve was slightly pricier at $22,200 but when you weigh the cost against potential side effects and overall effectiveness sleeve gastrectomy comes out on top.
3) Gastric Sleeve Has Fewer Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Gastric sleeve patients benefit from the less-invasive nature of the procedure compared to these undergoing other types of weight loss surgery. They enjoy reduce risk of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, are less likely to experience “dumping syndrome,” and are less likely to develop GERD.
4) Weight Regain is Generally Not an Issue
The Lap-Band® procedure has come under some scrutiny in recent years for patient weight regain. A significant portion (though not a majority) of patients regain most or all of the excess weight they lost within 12 to 18 months. More regain weight when they have the banding device removed. Gastric sleeve patients enjoy better results because their stomachs are physically smaller and the procedure is irreversible, meaning they are unable to eat “normal” portions of food for longer.
5) Gastric Sleeve is Less-Invasive that Most Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery
In many cases, gastric sleeve surgery can be done with laparoscopic precision (with tiny incisions and microscopes). Additionally, it doesn’t involve any radical restructuring of the digestive system. And, unlike banding procedures, no foreign objects are left inside the abdomen.
For these reasons patients and doctors often see gastric sleeve as a win-win procedure. Minimal side effects, excellent results, and a cost that’s affordable for most patients make gastric sleeve in Beverly Hills and attractive option for people who need weight loss surgery.
1 Shi X, Karmali S, Sharma AM, et al. A review of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity. Obes Surg. 2010;20(8):1171-1177
2 Philips E, Ponce J, Cunneen SA, et al. Safety and effectiveness of REALIZE adjustable gastric band: 3-year prospective study in the United States. SurgObesRelat Dis. 2009;5(5):588-597
