A sleeve gastectomy, also known as a vertical sleeve or gatric sleeve, is a bariatric procedure that removes a large portion of the stomach. This dramatically limits the amount of food a patient can eat before feeling satiated, which leads to weight loss in severely obese patients. Dr. Michael Feiz, MD, FACS has successfully performed a staggering amount of these surgeries, leading to better lives for the patients involved.

Dr. Feiz also likes the gastric sleeve operation because it stops the production of the stomach hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin is produced by a part of the stomach (called the fundus) that is removed during the sleeve gastrectomy. The lack of ghrelin makes a sleeve gastrectomy patient feel hungry less often.

What is ghrelin's removal's long term effects? Well, not having this stomach hormone ghrelin means that the desire to eat only happens when a person is truly hungry. This works in perfect harmony with a person's reduced stomach size, leading to amazing weight loss results. Many sources also believe that the ghrelin definition includes aspects that stimulate the storage of fat. Reducing the stomach hormone ghrelin, then, will cause less fat storage. Furthermore, Dr. Feiz and his associates will recommend whole life changes—including diet and exercise—that will work in conjunction with a surgery to better the patient's health and encourage weight loss.

To reclaim your health and see if you qualify for a sleeve gastrectomy or other bariatric procedure, please contact Dr. Feiz for a complimentary consultation. Call Dr. Feiz's office at 310-855-8058 or contact us online for more information.