Laparoscopic Conventional Sleeve Gastrectomy (LCSG)
General Information
Conventional Sleeve Gastrectomy is a surgical procedure that can be performed by miniinvasive (Video)surgery. The procedure reduces the size of the stomach to about 10% of its original volume and results in a limited capacity of food intake. Patients feel full after eating a very small amount of food. The volume of the stomach after LCSG is between 80 and 120 ml. In sleeve gastrectomy, the left side of the stomach is surgically removed by cutting and stapling. This results in a new stomach which is roughly the size and shape of a 20cm tube. This operation does not involve any “rerouting” or reconnecting of the intestines, it is a simpler operation than gastric bypass. Also very important is the fact that the operation preserves the pylorus, the muscle that regulates emptying of the stomach. This acts as “nature’s own functional gastric band” and allows food to remain in the stomach for a while, making the person feel full while the food trickles out. Coupled with the fact that there is no rearrangement of the bowel, it also means dumping and marginal ulcers are not a problem. The normal satiety mechanism is almost always regained by the operation.
Indications for LCSG
- BMI mostly over 50
- BMI 35- 50 with contraindications for bypass surgery or band implantation
- Well-motivated (accepts nutritionist and psychological criteria)
- no sweet eaters
- no binge (volume) eaters
- no stress eaters accepts follow-up program
- no heartburn

Advantages
few complications does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines technically a simpler operation than gastric bypass may be used as the first stage of a 2-stage operation. (see below) the operation eliminates the portion of stomach that produces the hormone ghrelin which stimulates hunger
Disadvantages
Possibility of weight gain after 3 years little is known about possible long-term complications of LSG possible dilatation of stomach pouch after a while, resulting in a secondary operation involves cutting and stapling of the stomach and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur requires more dietary discipline than gastric bypass
Operation Time
- The LCSG procedure takes between 40 minutes and one hour.
What is a 2-Stage Operation?
Certain patients may have a body shape that makes their surgery more technically difficult. For example, patients with a BMI over 60 — particularly those who carry their weight in their belly area — may be at increased risk for bariatric surgery. If you fall into this category, you may benefit from 2-stage bariatric surgery. In the staged approach, a multi-step operation like the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch is broken down into 2 simpler and safer operations. In the first stage, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed. This allows you to lose 80 to 100 pounds (ca. 40-50 kilos/ca. 6.5-8 stones) or more, which will make the second part of the operation substantially safer. The second stage operation is usually performed 8 to 12 months after the first. The “sleeve” stomach is converted into a formal gastric bypass. This will permit additional weight loss. Both stages of the surgery can be performed as key hole surgery, with the advantages of shorter recovery, shorter incisions, fewer incision-related problems and less pain.
Technical description
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of the stomach through vertical surgical stapling. At the beginning, the large stomach curve is separated from the omentum majus. Afterwards the gastric tube (32 -34 F) is placed into the stomach. This allows safe and exact formation of the sleeve. The resection is performed using staples (GIA, suturing and cutting machine). The resected part of stomach is removed from the abdominal cavity. The stomach volume after such operation is between 80 and 120 ml.
Hospitalisation Time
- The procedure requires a 4- to-7-night stay in the hospital after the operation.
After Surgery
After surgery, the patient must follow special diets and vitamin intake to lose weight in a controlled manner.
Lab Tests after LCSG:
- Morphology1
- Electrolytes1 in case of vomiting
- Ferrum1
- Creatinin in case of vomiting or low drinking rate
- Haemoglobin A1c1 by DM
1. 1Mo, 3 Mo, 6 Mo, yearly
Supplementation after LCSG:
|
1 tab. per Day |
|
In case of hair problems |
Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome Score – BAROS
- Once a year
Standard Medication after Operation
- PPI 20mg, 0-0-1 (3 Months)
Sport and physical activity
- Three weeks after operation
- 3 hours of physical activity per week but under sport medical supervision and medical advice.


