Gastric Sleeve — Before & After
Roughly 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a banana-shaped sleeve.
Real gastric sleeve photos coming soon
We're curating consented, licensed before-and-after images for Gastric Sleeve. Until they're live, this page covers the technique, recovery, cost, and what to expect.
What is gastric sleeve?
Roughly 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a banana-shaped sleeve.
Also known as vsg, sleeve gastrectomy.
Gastric Sleeve by topic
Information pages — cost, recovery, surgeons, and more
Gastric Sleeve by recovery timeline
How the result evolves over time
Gastric Sleeve by demographic
Age and gender breakdowns of common candidates
Gastric Sleeve by ethnicity
Anatomical and aesthetic considerations across patient backgrounds
Gastric Sleeve by outcome reality
Range of results — from natural to cautionary
Gastric Sleeve by where it's performed
Regional approaches and aesthetic preferences
Frequently asked
How much weight will I lose with gastric sleeve?
Average 60–70% of excess weight at 1 year, plateauing around 18 months. Long-term (5+ years), 20–30% of patients regain a meaningful portion. Lifestyle adherence is the biggest variable.
Will insurance cover gastric sleeve?
Most US insurers cover with BMI ≥ 40, or BMI ≥ 35 with comorbidities (diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension). Pre-op psychological evaluation, nutritional counseling, and 3–6 months of supervised weight loss are typical requirements.
What's the difference between sleeve and bypass?
Sleeve removes about 80% of the stomach. Bypass creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small intestine. Bypass produces more weight loss long-term and is better for severe GERD, but has higher complication rates and lifelong nutrient malabsorption.
Can a gastric sleeve be reversed?
No — the removed portion of stomach can't be put back. Sleeve can be revised to gastric bypass if needed (for GERD or weight regain), but this adds complications and isn't a true reversal.
What about sagging skin after gastric sleeve?
Significant weight loss leaves significant skin laxity. Most patients consider body contouring procedures (tummy tuck, breast lift, arm lift, thigh lift) 12–18 months after weight stabilizes. Some insurance plans cover panniculectomy when functional.