The Ortho Walk-In Clinic will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on November 28 and 29. Questions? Please call 814-467-3628.
Weight loss: Slower than gastric bypass. Lose 60-70% of excess body weight within 12 to 18 months.
Surgery time: About an hour
Hospital stay: Typically 1 day
Recovery time: 2–4 weeks
Patients at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber who are interested in weight loss surgery have two options: gastric bypass surgery or gastric sleeve surgery.
A vertical sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve surgery, is a procedure that decreases your stomach size by removing approximately 2/3 of the stomach. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch or “sleeve” that resembles a banana. The smaller stomach significantly limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, which helps you to feel fuller sooner.
A gastric sleeve can be also be used as a first step for individuals who may not yet be eligible for gastric bypass surgery. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure is an option to help you start losing weight. After a few years, most people lose enough weight to complete the second step of the process.
The procedure is usually performed laparoscopically using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Do you have questions about gastric sleeve surgery? Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are ready to help you begin your weight loss journey today! Call 814-467-3653 or email windbersurgery@windbercare.org.