The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves making 3-5 small incisions in the abdomen and performing the procedure using a video camera (laparoscope). About 80% of the stomach is removed leaving a small tube shaped pouch and limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. The capacity of the new stomach is 3 to 4 ounces so that after eating a small amount of food, you will feel full very quickly and remain feeling full for several hours. The top part of the stomach (the Fundus) is the area where hunger hormones and food cravings are created. Dr. Leithead removes the fundus during a gastric sleeve procedure drastically reducing these cravings.

Patients can expect to lose between 40% and 70% of their excess body weight within the first year of surgery. Many obesity related comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea are resolved or improved after weight loss surgery. Our practice has performed over 12,000 laparoscopic weight loss procedures including more than 4,000 gastric sleeves, making us one of the most experienced in the country.