When the results of a new bariatric procedure are good enough to impress some of the top bariatric surgeons in the country, it is good news for bariatric patients. Up until recently, there were basically only two types of weight loss surgery to consider, gastric bypass surgery and the gastric band procedures. Now, based on new information, it seems that bariatric patients will have another viable alternative for weight loss surgery.

Recently released data indicates that sleeve gastrectomy, also known as the gastric sleeve, leads to significant weight loss with few complications. Short term studies indicate that the procedure results in quicker weight loss than gastric banding with fewer complications than gastric bypass surgery. The method is quickly growing in both popularity and supporters as studies show it to be a safe and effective weight loss procedure.

The new information comes from one of the largest databases of its kind in the United States, the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative. The registry is a project that tracks the outcomes of bariatric procedures with funding provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The data provided by this project gives potential bariatric patients an insight into surgical weight loss options, including expected weight loss in first year, type and rate of complications, and percentage of patients who can stop taking prescription medications for health conditions.

Findings from the study show that gastric sleeve patients had an average weight loss of 94 pounds one year after surgery. In comparison, open gastric bypass patients lost 124 pounds, lap gastric bypass patients lost 106 pounds, and gastric band patients lost 54 pounds. While long term results are not yet available for gastric sleeve, the first year results are encouraging.

The data also shows that the gastric sleeve has less complications and adverse reactions than open or laparoscopic gastric bypass. Overall, the band procedures have the fewest complications.

While most bariatric patients are familiar with gastric bypass and gastric banding, not many have heard about the gastric sleeve. The gastric sleeve is a restrictive type of weight loss surgery that permanently reduces the size of the stomach. During surgery, 85% of the stomach is removed along the greater curvature, creating a new stomach that resembles a small tube, or sleeve, that extends from the natural stomach opening to the natural stomach outlet. The procedure limits food intake and reduces hunger.

Up until now, the gastric sleeve has been considered experimental by most insurance companies and therefore they will not pay for it. Hopefully the data collected by the registry will convince insurance companies to reconsider their position and cover the procedure as a treatment for obesity.