Mini Gastric Sleeve or Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Surgery Benefits & Recovery

Not all bariatric procedures are created equal! Some are invasive and more risker than others. This is why an increasing number of people have started to choose mini gastric sleeve, which has gained popularity in recent years as a less invasive and effective alternative to traditional gastric sleeve.

This new option can help you shed extra pounds and let go of the extreme diets and exercises that you have used to follow. Its also a common option for those seeking gastric sleeve in Turkey.

With its shorter operating time and quicker recovery, the mini sleeve offers patients a chance to reclaim their health and transform their lives. Unfortunately, however, there isn much research has been done regarding its effectiveness and safety. Most research has focused instead on mini gastric bypass.

What Is a Mini Gastric Sleeve?

The mini gastric sleeve, also known as the mini sleeve gastrectomy or mini-VSG, is a less invasive version of the traditional gastric sleeve surgery that has gained remarkable popularity in recent years.

Unlike the traditional laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery, which removes 80-85% of the stomach, the mini sleeve reduces the size of the stomach by half of that amount (40-50%). This is achieved using the conventional 3-5 port technique or a single incision for inserting the instruments into the abdomen.

Although it may not result in as much weight loss as the traditional laparoscopic gastric sleeve, the mini sleeve is an effective weight-loss procedure that offers a less invasive option for those who are unable to undergo more extensive surgery. However, not all surgeons are trained to carry out this procedure.

The technique can help limit the amount of food you can consume and reduce hunger between meals by reducing the production of the hunger hormone ghrelin. Overall, this innovative weight loss technique is a viable option for those looking to achieve their weight loss goals in a safe and minimally invasive way.

Benefits of Mini Gastric Sleeve

The mini sleeve is a fairly quick procedure, lasting around 25 to 45 minutes. You can recover just within 2 to 14 days. The surgery has several benefits compared to other types of bariatric surgery, including:

• Doesn’t require a strict pre-post-opt diet
• Yield relatively similar weight loss results to the traditional gastric sleeve
• Doesn’t alter the stomach openings and nerves
• Doesn’t affect the normal functions of the digestive system
• Target the part of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone ghrelin
• Depend on the laparoscopic approach, meaning it’s less invasive and leaves minimal scarring.
• Doesn’t need a long recovery time as other bariatric procedures
• Safe and effective weight loss method

Who Qualifies for a Mini Gastric Sleeve?

If you have a low (BMI) and are looking for a minimally invasive weight loss option, the mini sleeve could be a good option for you, but you need to consult a professional weight loss surgeon before moving on with the option.

Since the procedure doesn result in as much weight loss as the traditional gastric sleeve, you will need to put in extra effort to achieve your desired weight loss goals. This translates into a dedicated commitment to a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise. 

Before undergoing weight loss Mini Sleeve surgery, certain criteria must be met to ensure the procedure is appropriate for the patient. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a key factor in determining eligibility.

BMI Qualifications:

• BMI of 40 or more, or more than 100 pounds overweight.
• BMI of 35 or more with the presence of at least one obesity-related comorbidity, such as:
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Sleep apnea or other respiratory disorders
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Lipid abnormalities
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Heart disease

Additionally, candidates must demonstrate an inability to achieve or sustain a healthy weight through prior weight loss efforts.

Aside from BMI, most insurers and doctors require:

• Psychological evaluation: To assess mental readiness and emotional stability for the surgery and lifestyle changes.
• Nutritional counseling: To ensure that patients understand and can adhere to post-surgical dietary requirements.
• Preliminary screenings: Conducted by the surgeon to ensure the patient is physically fit for the procedure.

Dive into: gastric sleeve 10 years later

The Procedure of the Mini Gastric Sleeve

The mini sleeve surgery usually relies on the laparoscopic technique with some modifications. In short, below are the steps of the procedure:

Bougie Device Insertion

The mini sleeve procedure involves using a bougie device, which is inserted through the mouth and down the esophagus to guide the cutting and stapling of the stomach. Unlike the standard gastric sleeve surgery, the bougie used in the mini sleeve procedure is larger in diameter.

Making the Incisions

Your surgeon will make tiny cuts in your belly (incisions) to allow for the insertion of specialized surgical instruments, including a camera.

Cutting the Stomach

Using the small surgical instruments, your surgeon will remove a part of the lower section of the stomach. However, unlike the traditional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, you will keep a larger portion of your stomach, resulting in a miniature version of the gastric sleeve.

To reshape the stomach into a sleeve, your surgeon will use a stapling device that closes the sides of the stomach and may remain in place after the surgery. This will help reduce the size of the stomach and limit the amount of food it can hold, which ultimately leads to weight loss.

Closing the incisions

Finally, your incisions will be sealed and you will be sent to the recovery room. With this minimally invasive surgical approach, the recovery time will be faster, and the scars will be less noticeable.

Recovery After Mini Gastric Sleeve

After the procedure, you will need to follow a specific diet plan for several weeks before resuming your normal eating habits. Initially, for two weeks after the procedure, you must follow a liquid-only diet, followed by a two-week pureed diet. After four weeks, you can resume your regular diet gradually.

If your job is in the office (desk job) or doesn’t involve lifting heavy objects, you may return to work within the first week after surgery. However, if you need to lift heavy objects in your work, you must be careful handling your job in the 4 to 6 weeks that follow the surgery.

In any case, remember that the surgery is just one part of the weight loss process. Be committed to living a healthy lifestyle, which includes following the advice of your surgeon and dietitian. By doing so, you can achieve sustainable weight loss and improve your overall health.

Mini Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Sleeve

Obviously, the traditional gastric sleeve is more effective than the mini sleeve. As mentioned before, the traditional gastric sleeve involves the removal of twice as much of the stomach.

Experts suggest that it has higher and sustained weight loss 3 to 5 years after surgery and can help patients shed more weight, but that doesn’t mean the mini sleeve is irrelevant or obsolete.

Just like the traditional gastric sleeve, the mini sleeve can improve obesity-related conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, but the traditional gastric sleeve is more effective in this regard.

Key Differences Between Mini Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Sleeve

Similarities Between Mini and Gastric Sleeve

Despite their differences, both procedures share several similarities:

• No Major Anatomical Changes: Neither surgery alters the digestive tract; both maintain the pyloric valve and do not involve rerouting the intestines.
• Mechanism: Both surgeries restrict the stomach's size, leading to decreased appetite and hormonal changes that promote weight loss.
• Dietary Requirements: Post-surgery, patients in both categories follow similar diets, typically consuming 3-5 small meals a day with an emphasis on high-protein, low-calorie foods.

Mini Gastric Sleeve vs. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

It’s highly common for people to confuse mini sleeve with endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, which is performed through the esophagus. Unlike endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, the mini sleeve is performed laparoscopically.

In contrast to mini sleeve, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty doesn require any incision. It also has a superior safety profile compared to laparoscopic gastric sleeve according to a study. However, both surgeries have been shown to be less effective than the standard laparoscopic gastric sleeve. This is particularly true for people with higher BMIs.

In any case, both procedures are less invasive and yield great overall weight loss results. They also can be a step in the right direction toward a healthier lifestyle.

Mini Sleeve vs. Mini Bypass

Mini bypass, also known as the Single Anastamosis or Omega Loop gastric bypass, is another “mini” version of a more invasive procedure: the gastric bypass. Surgeons need around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete the surgery, but you still need to be under general anesthesia during the procedure.

Mini bypass leads to quick weight loss as the procedure improves the metabolism process in the body. Amazingly, people with type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure could get rid of these problems after just one day and no longer need blood pressure tablets.

Surgeons describe the mini bypass as an effective solution for those looking to make positive changes in their life and achieve long-term weight loss goals. However, there is a difference between the mini bypass and the mini sleeve. In fact, both are performed laparoscopically, but one of them is restrictive (mini gastric sleeve), whereas the other is restrictive and malabsorptive (mini gastric bypass).

Mini Gastric Sleeve Risks

Unsurprisingly, this form of gastric sleeve is less risker than the traditional gastric sleeve. However, it still can lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially iron deficiency. The body can’t get all the necessary amounts of nutrients due to reduced nutrient intake.

Hence, you may need to take vitamin and mineral supplements regularly for the entire of your life. Nonetheless, some patients may need these supplements only for the first nine months following the surgery to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Other possible complications after the surgery include:

• Nausea, vomiting, or constipation
• Anesthesia-related complications
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots

Mini Gastric Sleeve Cost

Logically, the cost of the mini sleeve should be lower than the traditional gastric sleeve cost. However, that’s not the case always because the surgery involves the use of laparoscopic instruments and other specialized equipment.

In addition, the cost varies extensively based on many other factors, such as the technique used and the location.  Hence, the cost of the surgery is similar to the cost of other bariatric procedures. The table below shows the estimated cost of the mini-sleeve in different countries.

The Bottom Line

The mini gastric sleeve surgery is a great option for those who seek less invasive and less risky bariatric procedures. It nearly can yield similar weight loss results to that of a standard gastric sleeve, and in some instances, it may be less expensive too.

However, the effectiveness of this procedure compared to other obesity surgery in Turkey is a matter of debate, but most experts describe it as less effective than gastric bypass and standard gastric sleeve.

International Clinics in Turkey provides different types of gastric sleeve procedures to international patients, including mini gastric sleeve and mini gastric bypass. You can contact us immediately using the Contact Us button below.