	The Surgery Process
	Am I a Candidate
	What Causes Morbid Obesity
	Benefits & Risks
	Frequent Q&A
	Patient Testimonials
	BMI Calculator
	Support Groups
	Life After Surgery
	Billing & Insurance
	Surgery Options
	Weight Loss Surgery For Men
	Appointment Center

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy / Sleeve Gastrectomy
Expected Weight loss 60-80% of excess weight

Description of the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Vertical Gastrectomy Northern California Bay Area California Most common weight loss surgery performed in the U.S.

This is the most modern weight loss procedure that induces weight loss by restricting food intake, invented back in 1999 but modified and refined by Dr. Feng in 2002 to an optimal smaller size to become a well-established, most popular, stand-alone procedure.

The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) is also commonly known as the Sleeve Gastrectomy, Restrictive Vertical Gastroplasty, or just Vertical Gastrectomy (VG). The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is essentially a newer, better version of the vertical banded gastroplasty, a procedure that has been abandoned by virtually all weight loss surgeons, due to high failure rates and complications. Dr. Feng surgically reduces the stomach in size to a long narrow, tube like, vertical pouch, between 1-4 ounces in size, keeping the valves of the stomach at the entry and exit of food into the stomach which helps maintain normal function.

There is no intestinal bypass performed, avoiding many of the problems associated with malabsorption of nutrients. In the past, the procedure was usually reserved for high risk patients or super obese patients with the intention of performing another surgery at a later date. If necessary, the second procedure would be either a duodenal switch or gastric bypass.

Nowadays, no other surgeries are needed at all anymore since patients loose as much as a gastric bypass patient would. In general, all qualified obese patients are considered and recommended for undergoing this procedure. Most patients can lose 60 to 80% of their excess body weight over 6-12 months with sleeve gastrectomy alone.

Advantages of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedure

Usually done laparoscopically (minimally invasive) with robotic-assistance in patients.
Allows patients of any weight, including the super super obese and high risk patients, to undergo surgery with small incisions
Rapid weight loss
Patients do not experience diarrhea or significant “Dumping Syndrome” symptoms
The portion of the stomach producing hunger-stimulating hormones (Grehlin) is removed
The smaller stomach maintains normal function with no rearrangement of the intestines, reducing risks of protein and vitamin deficiency and thus no significant "Dumping Syndrome" symptoms
Minimal patient effort to lose and maintain weight loss
Better weight loss than the Adjustable Gastric Band procedures
Safe in patients needing long term aspirin, NSAID such as Motrin, Advil, naprosyn, steroid use

Disadvantages of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedure

Successful results depend on willingness to adopt long-term lifestyle changes
Weight loss may be slower than more malabsorption procedure type like the duodenal switch