Once you are ready to move forward with weight loss surgery, you’ll decide which type of procedure is best suited to your lifestyle, weight loss goal and overall health. This decision will be made in conjunction with the recommendation of your bariatric surgeon.
We talked with our medical director, Dr. Seun Sowemimo, and his associate, Dr. Bennet Togbe, to explain why the sleeve gastrectomy (also called the sleeve, VSG or gastric sleeve) is the most popular bariatric procedure today.
How Does the Gastric Sleeve Work?
Since its inception in the early 2000s in Europe, VSG has become the most common bariatric procedure in the U.S. and worldwide in 2013. “The patient’s stomach is reduced to about 25 percent of its original size resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure,” Dr. Seun explains. “As a result, this smaller stomach causes patients to feel full sooner and significantly reduces the production of ghrelin, a hunger-inducing hormone.
Dr. Seun, who will perform approximately 150 ‘sleeves’ in 2017, says this bariatric surgery leads to significant long-term weight loss and a high likelihood that obesity-related medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, will be completely resolved or greatly minimized.
“Most patients can expect to lose 50 to 80 percent of excess body weight in the first 12 months,” adds Dr. Togbe. “With impressive success rates and lower risk, the gastric sleeve has become the preferred weight loss surgery over gastric bypass and certainly gastric banding.”
Minimally-Invasive Bariatric Surgery Means Less Risk to the Patient
Dr. Togbe explains the sleeve gastrectomy is performed laparoscopically through several small abdominal incisions. The surgery lasts about an hour, and patients usually stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days after the surgery. Minimally-invasive techniques greatly reduce post-op pain, blood loss and scarring, which reduces overall patient risk and speeds recovery.
“VSG offers a safer, reliable, minimally-invasive weight loss solution that offers fewer short- and long-term complications than other procedures,” says Dr. Togbe.
Prime Surgicare’s Comprehensive Bariatric Success Program
Prime Surgicare’s one-of-a-kind Bariatric Success Program offers a five-pronged approach to preparing and ensuring your long-term weight loss success.
Start your journey by joining us at an upcoming free patient seminar at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold or log-on to our daily free webinar to watch a similar presentation. If you prefer a private consultation, call our friendly bariatric medicine specialists at (732) 982-2002 to schedule an office visit within the next seven days.
About Us
Dr. Seun Sowemimo and Dr. Bennet Togbe are board-certified and fellowship-trained, general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons in NJ. They specialize in minimally invasive weight loss surgery and general surgery procedures including diverticulitis, gallbladder and hernia conditions. They are the top NJ surgeons at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties.
To learn more, visit our YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.