Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery in Las Vegas typically involves some discomfort and pain during the initial recovery period. Pain medication and post-operative care instructions will be provided to minimize any discomfort and help you through the recovery process. It’s important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smoother and more comfortable healing experience. 

In many cases, patients undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery at Las Vegas Surgical Associates can expect to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. However, the specific length of your hospital stay may vary depending on individual factors such as your overall health and the extent of the surgery. We can go over this in a detailed consultation. 

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks and potential complications. These may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Leakage from the staple line
• Stricture or narrowing of the stomach opening
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Dumping syndrome
• Failure to achieve desired weight loss

Both are performed at Las Vegas Surgery Associates, but they work differently. Sleeve gastrectomy removes roughly 75–80% of the stomach to create a smaller, sleeve-shaped pouch, relying primarily on restriction and reduced hunger hormones to produce weight loss. Gastric bypass additionally reroutes a portion of the small intestine, which changes how the body absorbs calories and nutrients — making it a more complex procedure with a higher potential for vitamin and mineral deficiencies but also a stronger effect on conditions like acid reflux and type 2 diabetes. Our board-certified bariatric surgeons will help you determine which procedure is the better fit based on your BMI, medical history, and health goals during a personalized consultation.

While individual results vary, patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy typically lose 50–70% of their excess body weight within the first 12 to 18 months after surgery. Long-term success depends heavily on commitment to dietary changes, regular physical activity, and follow-up care with your surgical team. Patients who maintain consistent lifestyle habits and attend their post-operative appointments at Las Vegas Surgery Associates tend to achieve the most durable results. During your consultation, your surgeon can provide a more personalized estimate based on your starting weight and health profile.

Yes. Most bariatric surgeons require patients to follow a pre-operative diet — typically a high-protein, low-carbohydrate or liquid diet — for two to four weeks before sleeve gastrectomy. This pre-surgery diet serves two important purposes: it shrinks the liver, which sits directly over the stomach and must be safely moved during the procedure, and it helps patients begin building the dietary habits they will need post-operatively. Your specific pre-op dietary instructions will be outlined by the LVSA team during your surgical preparation appointments. Failing to follow the pre-op diet can affect the safety of the procedure.

Yes, sleeve gastrectomy is considered a revisable procedure. If a patient does not achieve adequate weight loss, experiences significant weight regain over time, or develops worsening acid reflux (GERD) following their sleeve, a known potential complication, the surgery can often be converted to a gastric bypass. This is a more complex operation than the original procedure and requires thorough evaluation. At Las Vegas Surgery Associates, our surgeons are experienced in both primary and revision bariatric surgeries, and can assess whether a conversion is appropriate for your situation.

To be approved for sleeve gastrectomy surgery, patients in Nevada generally need to meet criteria consistent with national bariatric surgery guidelines: a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one obesity-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. Most insurance plans also require documented evidence of prior attempts at medically supervised weight loss. Additionally, patients must complete a psychological evaluation and clearance from a primary care physician. Las Vegas Surgery Associates can guide you through the full pre-authorization process and work with your insurer to help meet all required criteria before your surgery date.