The stomach’s capacity is reduced to approximately 150 cc, giving it a small tube or sleeve shape. It makes the patient feel satisfied with small amounts of food, leading this to a significant weight loss.
The feeling of fullness this surgery achieves is greater than that accomplished by a gastric band. It is a real sensation of fullness, giving a better quality of life. Patients report a very marked decrease in appetite during the first months after the operation, contributing to losing weight easier. This decrease in appetite is due to the removal of a hormone found in the stomach called ghrelin. Even though it is produced in other parts of the digestive tract, the largest production is in the gastric fundus.