What is the Weight Loss Surgery, Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Dr. Dennis Fernandez, Huntsville, Alabama, performs the weight loss surgery, robotic sleeve gastrectomy. During a sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach is divided, and 85-90% of it is removed. This restricts the volume of food that can be consumed. Ultimately, patients end up losing 65% to 70% of their excess body weight in a year and a half.

Why is robotic sleeve gastrectomy effective? One reason is because the part of the stomach that is removed is responsible for a large portion of the hunger hormones that are normally released. Therefore, food cravings are reduced so the patient naturally tends to eat less.

Dr. Dennis Fernandez prefers the utility of the da Vinci surgical robot for bariatric surgery because it offers more precision and better visualization of the surgical field.