UnityPoint Clinic | Weight Loss at West Des Moines

6600 Westown Parkway, Suite 220
West Des Moines, IA 50266
p: 515-241-2250
toll free: 877-220-9727
f: 515-241-2265

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Attend a free weight loss surgery information seminar!

Gastric Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedure

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a bariatric procedure in which the surgeon removes approximately 85% of the stomach, shaping the remaining stomach into a tube or "sleeve." It can be used as a first stage operation prior to a gastric bypass or as a definite procedure. The stomach is divided along its vertical length in order to create a slender pouch. The excess stomach is removed. The purpose is to limit the amount of food ingested at any given time without altering the normal absorption of the vitamins and minerals. 

With this procedure, the nerves of the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) are not altered, preserving the function of the stomach.

Other Advantages:

• The rest of the gastrointestinal tract anatomy is not altered, so the food ingested follows the normal course. This results in less chance of developing lack of vitamins and minerals and eliminates 'dumping syndrome'.
• The procedure decreases significantly the hunger by removing the part of the stomach that produces the main stimulating hormones.
• It minimizes the chance of developing ulcers.
• There are normally fewer office visits than with gastric banding, since there is no need for adjustment of the size of the band.