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Alternative to gastric bypass

Ophelia Brown had weight loss surgery two months ago, and so far she's lost 35 pounds. "I don't breathe as hard. I don't get tired as easy," says Ophelia. 

The procedure is a new approach in bariatric surgery called sleeve gastrectomy. Doctors remove 3/4 of the stomach. It then has a new shape, and looks like a sleeve or a banana.

Unlike gastric bypass, surgeons don't have to reroute the bowel. Other than downsizing the stomach, the anatomy stays in tact so there are fewer complications. "The sleeve actually does offer an appealing alternative for those patients who are intimidated by having a major operation such as the gastric bypass," says bariatric surgeon, Dr. Alex Gandsas.

The sleeve not only forces patients to eat less, they also don't crave food as much because a big part of their stomach is gone. "This part of the stomach is in charge of producing a hormone called ghrelin, which is responsible for our appetite. By removing that the patient not only will be able to eat less, but will feel less hungry," says Dr. Gandsas.  

Doctor Gandsas is pioneering the procedure at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore - because, he says, the benefits are lifesaving. "Health issues such as diabetes type two have been resolved in approximately 65 percent. The hypertension's been resolved in 50 percent, sleep apnea in more than 75 percent."

Ophelia is already off her diabetes medicine, and she takes blood pressure medication now and then. As her weight goes down, her appetite for good health, soars.

The sleeve procedure is performed through small incisions. Patients can lose about 60 percent of their excess weight, compared to gastric bypass' 70 percent. The sleeve procedure is not yet covered by many insurance companies.