Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

In Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Emil Matei can perform laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as an alternative to the LAP-BAND®, an alternative that produces quicker results with less follow-up care. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedure is commonly recommended for men and women with a very high BMI (of around 60 or higher), people for whom other bariatric surgery methods would be unsafe or ineffective, and is also being investigated for use in older individuals and for people who don't have as much weigh to lose.

At the South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery, we are committed to helping men and women in Miami and Fort Lauderdale look and feel their very best. If you suffer from obesity, you understand that you haven't felt or looked the way you'd like in a very long time. That's why we've chosen to bring Dr. Matei into our practice – to perform bariatric and weight loss surgery safely and effectively for beautiful, life-changing results. To learn more about laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, you can request a consultation online or call 954.565.7575 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Matei.

How It Works

The way the procedure works is simple – the stomach is reduced to approximately 15% of its original size, helping you feel full sooner and eat less. When you eat less, you lose weight. After a certain amount of weight has been lost due to the sleeve gastrectomy, a second procedure will, most likely, be required to get the best results.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

There are several benefits to the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedure.

• Weight loss after a sleeve gastrectomy occurs more quickly than weight loss after the LAP-BAND procedure.
• There is no malabsorption of nutrients (something that patients with other weight loss surgeries might experience).
• There is no foreign body inserted into the stomach that your system could react to (as is the case with the LAP-BAND).
• The valve that regulates the emptying of the stomach (the pylorus) is preserved and the bowels are unaffected.
• This is a permanent solution for weight loss. It is non-reversible.
• Less follow-up is required than with the LAP-BAND.

The Procedure

During the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedure, Fort Lauderdale and Miami patients are usually placed under general anesthesia. Because the surgery is laparoscopic, only very small incisions in the stomach area are necessary. With tiny instruments, Dr. Matei will remove up to 85% of the stomach. The new shape (long and tubular, like a banana) is closed with staples and will be tested to make sure that it does not leak.

Most patients are able to return to their normal routine after about 2 weeks. If you have a relatively sedentary job, you may be able to return to work even sooner.

Your Weight Loss

Weight loss after a sleeve gastrectomy usually occurs more quickly than weight loss after a LAP-BAND procedure. The procedure is not reversible, but is safe in the long term because there is no risk of malnutrition. If you begin to consume larger portions of food, the stomach pouch will stretch and your weight loss will cease, so it's important to carefully follow Dr. Matei's dietary guidelines.