Gastric Sleeve Surgery: What it Is, Treatment & Symptoms - GetWellGo

Thinking about gastric sleeve surgery? Get the facts on symptoms, treatment, risks, and recovery at GetWellGo. Empower your health decisions with expert info.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery: What it Is, Treatment & Symptoms - GetWellGo

  • Category

    General

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    09-Apr-2025

What is Gastric Sleeve?

The gastric sleeve, also referred to as sleeve gastrectomy, is a form of weight loss surgery. During this surgery, approximately 75–80% of your stomach is removed surgically, and a small, tube-like or "sleeve" stomach is left behind.

Gastric & Gastrectomy Sleeve Surgery

It's a stomach reduction surgery in which approximately 75–80% of your stomach is removed.

What's left is a small, banana-shaped "sleeve" that holds much less food.

The operation primarily functions in the following two ways:

  • Limits the quantity of food that can be consumed.
  • Decreases hunger by lowering ghrelin (the hunger hormone).

How the Surgery is Done:

  • Type of surgery: Minimally invasive (done laparoscopically through small cuts).
  • Time taken: About 1–2 hours.
  • Hospital stay: Usually 1–3 days.
  • Anaesthesia: You’ll be under general anaesthesia (fully asleep).

The surgeon:

  • Makes small cuts on your belly.
  • Inserts a camera and tools.
  • Removes a large portion of the stomach.
  • Staples the remaining stomach into a sleeve shape.

How does a Gastric Sleeve work?

1. Smaller Stomach = Eat Less

  • Your stomach is reduced to about 1/10th of its original size after surgery.
  • It's roughly the shape of a small tube or banana.
  • Since it's so much smaller, you feel full after eating just a little.
  • You literally can't eat big meals anymore.

2. Less Hunger = Eat Less

  • The section of your stomach that's removed is where a hormone called ghrelin is produced.
  • Ghrelin is also referred to as the "hunger hormone" — it's what induces hunger.
  • Your hunger declines substantially when there's less ghrelin.
  • Numerous individuals report that they no longer think about food constantly following surgery.

3. Altered Gut Hormones = Improved Metabolism

  • In addition to ghrelin, other gut hormones also change following surgery.
  • They enhance blood sugar control and increase metabolism.
  • This is why diabetes frequently improves or disappears following the surgery.

Factors Affecting Gastric Sleeve Surgery Cost

The cost of Gastric Sleeve surgery can vary a lot depending on several factors. Here’s a clear list:

  • Country and City
  • Hospital and Facility Fees
  • Surgeon’s Experience
  • Pre-Surgery Tests
  • Anaesthesia Fees    
  • Hospital Stay
  • Aftercare and Follow-ups

Gastric Sleeve Side Effects

Common Short-Term Side Effects:

  • Pain and Soreness
  • Swelling and Bruising
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Heartburn
  • Dehydration
  • Constipation

Long-Term Side Effects:

  • Nutrient Deficiencies
  • Hair Thinning or Hair Loss
  • Gallstones
  • Loose Skin
  • Acid Reflux
  • Food Intolerances
  • Dumping Syndrome

Gastric Sleeve Recovery Time

  • Day 1–3: Hospital Stay (1–2 days). Walking encouraged. Pain and nausea common.
  • Week 1: Rest at home. Liquid diet only. Mild pain/tiredness.
  • Week 2–3: Begin pureed (soft) foods. Pain improves. Energy slowly returns.
  • Week 4–5: Progress to soft, easy-to-chew foods. Driving and light work possible.
  • Week 6: Normal soft diet. Most people resume normal activities.
  • After 2–3 months: Begin eating small solid meals. Feel more normal. Exercise lightly.
  • After 6 months: Maximum weight loss starts. Take small, nutritious meals frequently.
  • After 12 months: Body fully adapts. Majority of patients lose 60–70% of excess weight.

Best Doctor for Gastric Sleeve Surgery

  • Dr. Paritosh S Gupta, Head General, Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
  • Dr. Vikas Singhal, Senior Consultant in GI and Bariatric Surgery at Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
  • Dr. Ajay Kriplani, Principal Director & HOD GI, GI Onco & Bariatric Surgery at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
  • Dr. Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman Laparoscopic Endoscopic & Bariatric Surgery at Max Hospital, Saket

Top Hospital for Gastric Sleeve Treatment & Surgery

Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, is a foremost multi-specialty hospital, widely acclaimed for bariatric treatments like gastric sleeve surgery. Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery Centre of Artemis Hospital specializes in cutting-edge laparoscopic approaches with least invasion and shorter recovery periods for the patients on weight loss procedures.
The bariatric team at Artemis is headed by renowned surgeons like Dr. Paritosh S. Gupta, Head of General, and Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery, who has more than 20 years of experience and has conducted over 14,000 successful surgeries.

Artemis Hospital is accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) as well as National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), which ensures that it abides by its high standards for patient care and safety.

For people contemplating gastric sleeve surgery, Artemis Hospital offers complete care, integrating skilled surgical skills with cutting-edge infrastructure to nurture patients through their weight loss process.

Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon

Medanta – The Medicity in Gurugram, India is one of the finest multi-specialty hospitals for which it has gained international repute in terms of bariatric surgeries like gastric sleeve surgery. The hospital's department of GI Surgery, GI Oncology, and Bariatric Surgery provides complete treatment for those undergoing weight loss operations. Gastric sleeve surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy, removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a narrower, sleeve-like stomach that restricts food consumption and decreases hunger hormones. The procedure has been noted to help reduce weight significantly and even ameliorate obesity-related conditions. Medanta has advanced infrastructure and uses cutting-edge technologies, such as robotic surgery systems, to carry out minimally invasive surgeries. This method increases accuracy, lowers recovery time, and decreases complications for patients who have gastric sleeve surgery.

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) in Gurgaon is a premier multi-specialty hospital providing complete bariatric services, including gastric sleeve surgery. The GI, Minimal Access, and Bariatric Surgery unit at FMRI is dedicated to performing advanced laparoscopic surgery for successful weight loss and control of obesity-linked disorders. Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is the removal of most of the stomach, leaving behind a smaller, sleeve-like stomach.

This process restricts food consumption and decreases hunger hormones, making it easier to achieve significant weight loss. FMRI utilizes cutting-edge methods like Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS), also referred to as Zero Scar Bariatric Surgery. Minimally invasive, this technique uses one incision, resulting in less postoperative pain and near-invisible scarring.

Max Hospital, Saket

Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, New Delhi, is one of the most prestigious healthcare establishments known for expertise in gastric sleeve surgery, which is a treatment for considerable weight loss through diminution of stomach size. The Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (MAMBS) of the hospital has been accorded the designation of First and Founder Center of Excellence in Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation, USA, during 2011-2014.
The bariatric team at Max Saket consists of highly experienced surgeons and gastroenterologists who are committed to providing inclusive treatment. They use laparoscopic methods, making processes less invasive and resulting in quicker recovery and less post-operative pain.

Vertical Sleeve

Vertical Sleeve most commonly means Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) — another term for Gastric Sleeve surgery.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a type of weight loss surgery in which approximately 75–80% of the stomach is cut out. The rest of the stomach resembles a thin tube or "sleeve."

Since your stomach is significantly smaller:

You get full sooner after eating.

Your body makes less ghrelin (the "hunger hormone"), so your appetite decreases.

Gastric Sleeve Advantages

  • Significant Weight Loss
  • Hunger Control
  • Improvement in Health Conditions
  • No Foreign Objects
  • No Intestinal Bypass
  • Minimally Invasive
  • Permanent Solution
  • Shorter Hospital Stay
  • Better Quality of Life

Gastric Sleeve Disadvantage

  • Irreversible
  • Surgical Risks
  • Possible Nutritional Deficiencies
  • Heartburn or Acid Reflux
  • Weight Regain
  • Psychological Adjustment
  • Cost
  • Surgical Complications

Gastric Sleeve Symptoms

  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Pain or Discomfort
  • Acid Reflux
  • Dehydration
  • Changes in Bowel Movements
  • Hair Thinning
  • Mood Swings
  • Cold Sensitivity
  • Plateau in Weight Loss

Why Choose GetWellGo for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for gastric sleeve surgery.
  • Expert GI surgeon with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food

Recent Blogs