The percentage of American adults who are considered overweight or obese has been steadily climbing over the past few decades and has now reached epidemic proportions. Interestingly, the number of surgeries that have been performed to help combat obesity has also increased incrementally over the years.

The most often performed bariatric surgery is called laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). This very popular weight loss surgery is also known as laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy but is most often called a gastric sleeve.

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What Is Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

This is a type of surgery that is done to help people who have been unable to lose weight on their own using traditional methods. It is most often done using a technique called laparoscopy, which involves performing the operation through 4 or 5 small incisions with a special tool that provides live video coverage to the surgeon as they work. They can visualize exactly what they are doing via a video monitor. It works by making changes to their stomach that help increase satiety and promote portion control.

The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy steps include:

1. Administering anesthesia to the patient so they are asleep and pain-free during the process;
2. 4 or 5 small incisions are made in different locations on the patient's abdomen that are used to access the surgery site;
3. Thin, hollow tube-like medical devices called trocars are placed in each incision to make a pathway for the laparoscopy and other surgical instruments needed to perform the operation;
4. The laparoscope is inserted into one of the incisions, and the video streaming begins, allowing the surgeon to proceed with the operation;
5. Using special surgical tools, the surgeon excises a significant amount of the patient's stomach (approximately 80%);
6. The remainder of the stomach is closed with staples and, when complete, resembles a long, skinny tube-like shape;
7. The instruments and trocars are removed, and the abdominal incisions are closed with small sutures;
8. The patient wakes up and is closely monitored as the effects of the anesthesia wear off, and then they are moved to a recovery area. Most patients spend at least one night in the hospital.

How LSG Surgery Helps You Lose Weight

LSG surgery helps people lose weight in a few different ways. Since most of their stomach is permanently removed, they will only be able to eat a very small amount at mealtime, and the smaller stomach size will slow down how fast the food they consume will digest. They stay full and satisfied for a longer period of time. Also, the portion of the stomach that was cut away is responsible for producing a hormone called ghrelin that makes you feel hungry. The absence of this hormone coupled with the changes in stomach capacity, makes it easier for individuals to lose weight.

How Popular Is Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery?

Statistics published by ASBMS show that in 2011, there were roughly 28,124 LSG surgeries performed, but by 2021, that number had increased to 153,866, reflecting a huge jump of over 400%. By contrast, the number of gastric bypass surgeries performed during this same timeframe slightly declined. (57,986 to 56,527) You can see by these numbers that LSG bariatric surgery is three times more popular than gastric bypass. Bariatric surgeries are now categorized using CPT codes. For laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, the CPT code is 43775. These codes make it easier to identify a patient's exact condition for paperwork and insurance purposes.

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What Are The Advantages Of Sleeve Gastrectomy?

This procedure helps individuals lose weight and offers other benefits, such as improving or eliminating current health issues and reducing the risk of developing other serious and possibly life-threatening conditions, including:

• Hypertension;
• Unhealthy cholesterol levels;
• Coronary disease;
• Serious sleep apnea;
• Type 2 diabetes;
• Stroke;
• Various Cancers;
• Fertility issues.

LSG surgery is less invasive than traditional bariatric surgery, has a lower risk profile, and does not require as long of a recovery.

Is There Anything Less Invasive That Is Comparable For Weight Loss To LSG Surgery?

At Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center your health and wellbeing are our first priority, and losing weight can alleviate many metabolic health concerns and lower your risk for coronary events, strokes, and other serious conditions. While LSG surgery can help with weight loss, there is a newer procedure that can help you lose the same amount of weight (or more) without having to undergo surgery.

Suture Sculpt ESG is a non-surgical procedure that reduces the size of an individual's stomach, limiting their intake of food similar to that of LSG surgery but without cutting or removing any stomach tissue or creating any abdominal incisions. The procedure is done from inside the stomach using endoscopic access. Using a special suturing device, a series of targeted stitches are placed to manipulate the stomach into a smaller, elongated tube-like pocket shape.

The weight loss potential matched or exceeded that of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy during clinical trials. So basically, you can get the same weight loss benefits from Suture Sculpt ESG without the risks of surgery and be back to your normal schedule within days.

Unlike LSG surgery, which makes permanent alterations to the stomach, Suture Sculpt can be reversed if necessary. If you are considering weight loss surgery, speak to the experts at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center first so you can make a decision armed with all the facts and options available. We would love to save you some pain and risk while helping you lose weight without surgery. Set up your appointment to learn more today!

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