Overview
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is a bariatric procedure designed to reduce stomach size for effective weight loss in patients with obesity. It involves removing approximately 70–80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube or “sleeve.” This reduces food intake, promotes early satiety, and helps improve obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
In Korea, sleeve gastrectomy is performed in advanced bariatric and metabolic surgery centers, offering minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, comprehensive nutritional support, and expert post-operative care. Patients from around the world choose Korea for its high surgical precision, lower complication rates, and structured recovery programs.
What is Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?
Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive weight-loss surgery that reduces stomach volume to limit food intake and modify hunger hormones (like ghrelin).
Types and approaches include:
- ✦ Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy – most common, minimally invasive approach.
- ➤ Open sleeve gastrectomy – less common, used in complex or revision cases.
- ✦ Single-incision laparoscopic surgery – advanced minimally invasive technique with minimal scarring.
The surgery focuses on reducing stomach capacity, controlling appetite, and improving metabolic health.
What are the Benefits?
Sleeve gastrectomy provides multiple advantages for obesity management:
✅ Significant and sustained weight loss – typically 60–70% excess weight loss within 1–2 years.
➤ Improves or resolves obesity-related conditions – type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and fatty liver.
✦ Minimally invasive approach – smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery.
➤ No foreign devices – unlike gastric banding, no implants are required.
✅ Preserves normal stomach function – food digestion and absorption remain largely intact.
✦ Improved quality of life – increased mobility, energy, and confidence.
Procedure Details
1) How should I prepare for Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?
Preparation steps include:
- ✦ Comprehensive medical evaluation – blood tests, imaging, ECG, and assessment of comorbidities.
- ➤ Nutritional assessment – pre-operative diet plan and vitamin supplementation.
- ✦ Medication adjustments – discontinuing certain blood thinners or medications affecting healing.
- ➤ Pre-operative counseling – understanding procedure, risks, benefits, and lifestyle changes.
- ✦ Fasting – typically 8–12 hours before surgery.
- ➤ Lifestyle preparation – stop smoking, follow prescribed pre-op diet, and optimize physical activity if possible.
2) What happens during the procedure Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes 1–2 hours:
➤ Step 1: Several small laparoscopic incisions are made in the abdomen.
✦ Step 2: Surgical instruments and a camera are inserted to visualize the stomach.
➤ Step 3: Approximately 70–80% of the stomach is removed along the greater curvature.
✦ Step 4: The remaining stomach is shaped into a narrow tube (sleeve) and sutured or stapled.
➤ Step 5: The surgical area is checked for leaks or bleeding, and incisions are closed.
Minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques reduce tissue trauma, pain, and hospital stay.
3) What happens after a Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?
Post-operative care involves:
- ✦ Hospital stay: usually 2–3 days for monitoring and initial recovery.
- ➤ Pain management: mild to moderate pain controlled with medications.
- ✦ Diet progression: clear liquids → pureed foods → soft foods → regular diet over 6–8 weeks.
- ➤ Physical activity: light walking immediately, gradual increase as tolerated.
- ✦ Follow-up visits: monitor weight loss, vitamin levels, and overall health.
- ➤ Long-term lifestyle changes: adherence to diet, regular exercise, and nutritional supplementation is critical.
Most patients experience rapid weight loss and improvement in obesity-related conditions within months.
Risks / Benefits
Potential Risks:
- ✦ Bleeding or infection at the surgical site.
- ➤ Staple line leak (rare but serious).
- ✦ Nutritional deficiencies – vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and protein.
- ➤ Gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn.
- ✦ Rare complications: blood clots, anesthesia-related issues, or organ injury.
Benefits:
- ✅ Significant, sustained weight loss.
- ✅ Improves or resolves type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.
- ✅ Minimally invasive with faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.
- ✅ Improves overall health, energy, and quality of life.
Recovery and Outlook
Recovery is gradual and requires adherence to lifestyle changes:
- ➤ Hospital stay: 2–3 days post-surgery.
- ✦ Diet progression: clear liquids → soft foods → regular diet over 6–8 weeks.
- ➤ Physical activity: light walking immediately, gradual increase over weeks.
- ✦ Return to work: 2–4 weeks depending on job type and recovery.
- ➤ Long-term outcome: 60–70% excess weight loss, improvement in metabolic conditions, and enhanced quality of life.
- ✦ Follow-up: regular check-ups for nutritional status, weight management, and overall health.
When To Call the Doctor
Patients should contact their healthcare provider if they notice:
⚠ Severe abdominal pain or swelling.
⚠ Fever, chills, or signs of infection.
⚠ Persistent nausea, vomiting, or inability to tolerate food or liquids.
⚠ Signs of staple line leak – sudden severe pain, rapid heart rate, or shortness of breath.
⚠ Unexpected weight loss plateau or nutritional deficiencies.
Best Korea Option / Process
Korea provides world-class sleeve gastrectomy care with:
- ✦ Experienced bariatric surgeons specializing in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures.
- ➤ Advanced surgical facilities for safe and precise sleeve gastrectomy.
- ✦ Comprehensive pre- and post-operative care, including diet, nutritional support, and lifestyle counseling.
- ➤ Minimally invasive techniques for smaller scars, less pain, and faster recovery.
- ✦ Affordable and accessible treatment for international patients.
- ➤ Multidisciplinary teams including nutritionists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and physiotherapists for optimal outcomes.
Korea is a leading destination for sleeve gastrectomy, providing safe, effective, and precise weight-loss surgery with excellent results.
Highlights of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Korea
- ✅ Significant and sustained weight loss.
- ➤ Minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery.
- ✦ Improves or resolves obesity-related conditions.
- ➤ Performed by top Korean bariatric surgeons with structured post-op support.
- ✅ Short hospital stay with comprehensive follow-up and lifestyle guidance.
