New Jersey's Leader in Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Why Choose Us

Led by our experienced team of bariatric surgeons, the gastric sleeve program at RWJBarnabas Health provides a coordinated and supportive approach to the decision to pursue weight loss surgery. Our centers throughout New Jersey offer a comprehensive approach to gastric sleeve surgery and work together to develop a personalized care plan for you. From our pre-surgery informational seminars, to our state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical procedures, all the way through to the post-procedure support groups, RWJBarnabas Health is committed to a safe and comprehensive bariatric surgery program for the residents of New Jersey and beyond.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Sleeve gastrectomy, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, permanently reduces the size of the stomach. This procedure can often be performed laparoscopically, using several small incisions, and is our procedure of choice for obese teens (ages 15-21).

During the gastric sleeve surgery, the surgeon uses staples to narrow the stomach and then removes approximately 80% of it. The remaining stomach is roughly the size and shape of a banana. You’re left with a smaller stomach that will help you feel fuller on much smaller portions, with no change to digestion and absorption of nutrients. The sleeve also has been shown to result in the secretion of fewer hunger hormones, resulting in less overall hunger. Any patient who is a candidate for bariatric surgery is potentially a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery.

About Gastric Gastrectomy

If weight loss is insufficient following a sleeve gastrectomy, another surgery can be performed, such as gastric bypass.In fact, gastric sleeve surgery was originally designed to be followed up by a second bariatric procedure, usually gastric bypass, in patients who could not tolerate a combined weight loss surgery. But gastric sleeve surgery is now commonly used as a stand-alone weight loss procedure. Because stomach function remains mostly intact, and because the intestine is not bypassed, this procedure has fewer side effects than gastric bypass.

Gastric sleeve has earned its place as the most popular weight loss procedure for several reasons, including:

• Most patients experience rapid and significant weight loss
• Greater percentage of weight kept off with long term follow-up
• Food intake is greatly controlled
• Hospitalization is minimal with moderate recovery time
• Improved type 2 diabetes. high blood pressure, and mobility
• Relief of acid reflux
• Your doctor is not removing any of your natural anatomy, like in a bypass, or inserting foreign objects, like with a gastric band

Post-operative nutritional follow up is absolutely critical for all patients undergoing any bariatric surgery. It is also important that patients who have had a gastric sleeve procedure make a lifelong commitment to healthy eating, as this is a non-reversible procedure. This includes taking vitamins and mineral supplements including a multivitamin, B12, iron, and calcium, maintaining an adequate intake of protein, and avoiding sweets and fatty foods.

If you are interested in learning more about RWJBarnabas Health weight loss options, please contact us at (888) 724-7123.

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