[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/04\/what-is-gastric-sleeve-surgery\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/04\/what-is-gastric-sleeve-surgery\/","headline":"What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?","name":"What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?","description":"Gastric sleeve surgery is a procedure that makes your stomach smaller in an effort to help with weight loss. Learn benefits, side effects, and more from UPMC.","datePublished":"2023-04-19","dateModified":"2026-02-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/bariatrics","name":"UPMC Bariatric Services","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/bariatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-bariatric-services\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-493216361.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-493216361.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/04\/what-is-gastric-sleeve-surgery\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":837,"keywords":["Provider"],"articleBody":"Many people struggle to lose weight and keep it off. Sometimes, diet and exercise alone are not enough to make lasting changes. Gastric sleeve surgery, a\u00a0bariatric\u00a0or weight-loss surgery, makes the stomach smaller. This can help you feel fuller faster, which leads to weight loss.You and your doctor can discuss gastric sleeve pros and cons, as well as potential gastric sleeve surgery side effects. That way, you can determine if it is the best way to achieve your health goals.How Does Gastric Sleeve Surgery Work?With a gastric sleeve procedure, your surgeon will remove about 70% of your stomach. The remaining portion will be a smaller tube-shaped pouch, which resembles a sleeve. With a smaller stomach, your food portions will be limited. You will also feel less hungry due to some natural messages the body will send your brain after the procedure.After gastric sleeve surgery, you will need to eat a specialized diet and take dietary supplements. That helps you get the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs.Gastric Sleeve Surgery: What to ExpectSurgery lasts 1 to 2 hours.One-to-two-day hospital stay, followed by a four-week recovery.Loss of 50 to 60% of excess body weight within two years of surgery.Gastric Sleeve Surgery ProsBeyond rapid and significant weight loss, there are many potential benefits of gastric sleeve surgery. Patients can experience improved physical health. This may include improvement in\u00a0obesity-related health conditions\u00a0like:DiabetesHigh blood pressure.High cholesterol.Sleep apnea.\u201cPatients with obesity often lose weight quickly after gastric sleeve surgery and frequently see meaningful improvement in other medical conditions,\u201d says\u00a0Karla Bernardi, MD , minimally invasive bariatric and general surgeon, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. \u201cIn many cases, patients are able to reduce or even stop medications for obesity-related conditions following surgery.\u201dPatients also may see positive changes in their mental health-post surgery, including:Improvement in overall mood and state of mind.Lower depression.Lower anxiety.\u201cPatients report having more energy after the surgery,\u201d says Dr. Bernardi. \u201cThey can be more engaged with everyday life with their families and get back to events and activities they used to enjoy again.\u201dGastric Sleeve Surgery Risks\u201cAs with any surgery, the gastric sleeve procedure has risks,\u201d Dr. Bernardi says. \u201cOne thing that can happen is a leak along the line where the stomach is stapled. It\u2019s a serious complication, but it\u2019s also very rare. We see it in fewer than 1% of patients.\u201dGastric sleeve surgery risks include:Blood clots.GallstonesHerniaLeakageGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux.StrictureIt\u2019s important to discuss all of the potential risks with your doctor before making the decision to move forward with the procedure. UPMC offers\u00a0free information sessions\u00a0to patients. You can become more familiar with gastric sleeve surgery side effects and accurately set your expectations.You also can reduce your risk of developing complications. Committing to a\u00a0pre-surgical lifestyle program\u00a0can help you prepare both mentally and physically for the procedure. The six-month program offers access to a team of experts who will help set you up for success, with:A personalized diet to prepare for surgery and long-term maintenance.Private bariatric nutrition consultations.Solutions to problematic eating behaviors and nutritional issues.Help identifying and managing eating sabotages.Monthly support groups.A realistic exercise program for life.The more you can do to plan and prepare, the better equipped you will be for surgery, recovery, and living a healthy postsurgical lifestyle.Who Is a Candidate for Weight-Loss Surgery?You might be a good candidate for weight-loss surgery if you need to lose a significant amount of weight and have tried other methods of weight loss without success.Additional guidance from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that good candidates have:A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.A BMI of 35 or more with a serious health problem linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea.A BMI of 30 or more with uncontrolled diabetesThe best candidates for any kind of weight-loss surgery are armed with the facts and ready to commit to a new way of life.\u201cBariatric surgery is by no means an easy way out,\u201d Dr. Bernardi says. \u201cWe look at surgery as one tool that will help people see results. But, they still have to put in the hard work and be willing to make lasting changes to their lifestyle.\u201dIf you think you are ready to learn more about\u00a0bariatric surgery at UPMC, our experts are ready to speak with you and discuss your options.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on April 19, 2023, and was last reviewed on February 12, 2026.SourcesJane E. Brody. The Underused Weight Loss Option: Bariatric Surgery. The New York Times. LINK.David E. Arterburn, MD, MPH, Dana A. Telem, MD, MPH, Robert F. Kushner, MD. Benefits and Risks of Bariatric Surgery in Adults. The Journal of the American Medical Association. LINK.Roni Caryn Rabin. Weight-Loss Surgery May Reduce Heart Risks in People With Type 2 Diabetes. The New York Times. LINK."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2023","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/04\/what-is-gastric-sleeve-surgery\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]