Frequently Asked Questions
On average we expect weight loss results for gastric sleeve patients to be approx 60-70% of their excess weight during the first two years, although most of the weight is lost during the first year. Some people will inevitably do better than this, and some not so well.
Yes, it is possible to regain weight following gastric sleeve surgery and this tends to happen if patients return to old eating habits. A sleeve is extremely effective if you follow our guidelines but it is important to remember that a gastric sleeve is not a “cure” for your weight problems, rather a powerful tool to help you manage your weight. If you consume high quantities of junk food and don’t engage in physical activity, you may put weight back on, but this is the case for all weight loss options. It’s important to continue to plan your meals, eat small portions and to engage in physical activity in order to maximise and, more importantly, maintain your new, lower weight.
Every medical treatment has a failure rate, and the sleeve gastrectomy is no exception. A small proportion of sleeve patients, about 10%, won’t be successful for a variety of reasons such as an inability to comply with nutritional requirements or a lack of physical activity. Some patients can also experience problems if they fail to take vitamin and mineral supplements.
As a general guide, you are eligible for gastric sleeve surgery if you have a BMI of 35kg/m2 or over, and have exhausted other option without success.
As with all surgical operations, there are associated risks and a gastric sleeve is a more invasive procedure than a gastric band which is why it is important to choose a specialist bariatric surgeon with considerable gastric sleeve experience. In the hands of a highly experienced Healthier Weight surgeon, the gastric sleeve is still a safe and effective procedure. Read more about our sleeve centres and surgeons here.
Prior to gastric sleeve surgery, you will be required to follow a low-calorie pre-operative diet. The length of time that you will follow the pre-op diet will depend on your starting BMI and will range from a minimum of 5 days for lower BMIs, up to a maximum of 6 weeks for higher BMI.
Sleeve surgery is performed laparoscopically (keyhole) and takes approximately 45-60 mins. Patients usually stay in a hospital for 2 nights.
It is common to experience some discomfort after gastric sleeve surgery. The pain will mainly tend to be from the abdomen, but you may also experience some mild left shoulder pain as a result of the gas (carbon dioxide) that is used to inflate the abdomen during the operation. However, whatever discomfort you do experience is usually quickly alleviated by simple painkillers.
No, the gastric sleeve is not a reversible procedure as 80% of the stomach was removed during the original procedure. It can, however, be converted to a different procedure if required. A sleeve can be converted into a gastric bypass or could be combined with a gastric band.
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