The Gastric Sleeve or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is currently the most frequently performed technique throughout the world. Due to its simplicity, effectiveness and safety. The Gastric Sleeve consists of removing between 70 and 75% of the stomach, leaving a stomach 25 to 30% of the original size, much smaller, thinner and tubular.
The Gastric Sleeve acts through 4 mechanisms: 1.- Restriction: This occurs because the stomach is much smaller, this means that the amount of food that can fit in your new stomach is less. 2.- Decreased appetite: This happens because when removing a portion of the stomach, a significant percentage of the cells that produce the hormone Ghrelin are eliminated. The hormone Ghrelin is known as the "hunger hormone", since its presence increases appetite. In the gastric sleeve, when Ghrelin production is withdrawn, appetite decreases very significantly. 3.- Increased metabolism: The increase or acceleration of cellular metabolism occurs immediately after surgery, this occurs mainly due to the elimination of the hormone Ghrelin, which also decreases body metabolism. In the gastric sleeve, when its production is withdrawn, the basal metabolism increases. 4.- Increased satiety: In the gastric sleeve, food passes more quickly towards the intestine, this is known as "increased gastric emptying" this occurs due to the pressure generated by the small stomach. The rapid entry of food into the intestine causes the release of other hormones such as GLP-1 and PYY, which increase satiety. This causes the patient to fill up faster or feel satisfied more quickly.