Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure in Sydney, helping patients achieve significant and sustainable weight loss.
At BodyFree, gastric sleeve surgery is delivered as part of a structured program with comprehensive pre- and post-operative care.
Our experienced bariatric team, led by Bariatric Surgeon Dr David Joseph, has helped more than 5,000 weight loss surgery patients achieve their health and weight goals.
BodyFree offers fixed fee gastric sleeve surgery programs, at leading private hospitals in Sydney, to insured patients for $4,990. This structured program includes pre-operative preparation, surgery, and long-term follow-up care. Uninsured fixed fee programs are also available with fees starting at $14,490.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery at a Glance
Procedure: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Surgery time: Approximately 60–90 minutes
Hospital stay: 1–2 nights
Weight loss: Many patients lose 50–60% of their excess body weight within 12–18 months after surgery
Mechanism: Restriction and reduced hunger hormones
Eligibility: Patients with a BMI over 35 are eligible, or those with a BMI of 30–34 with obesity-related health conditions. Eligibility is confirmed following specialist assessment.
Suitability: Patients with significant reflux symptoms may not be suitable for gastric sleeve surgery.
If you are considering gastric sleeve call BodyFree on 02 9565 5505 to discuss or to schedule a confidential consultation.
About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure for the treatment of obesity.. Many patients seeking gastric sleeve surgery in Sydney choose this procedure because it provides an excellent balance of long-term weight loss and quality of life.
Gastric Sleeve Effectiveness
Gastric sleeve surgery is an effective option for long-term weight loss, but other procedures such as gastric bypass or revision surgery may be more suitable depending on individual health factors.
Patients with a BMI above 35 are eligible for gastric sleeve surgery. Patients with a BMI between 30 and 34 may also be considered depending on their overall health and medical history. You can use our BMI calculator to help determine whether you may qualify for weight loss surgery.
Patients seeking gastric sleeve surgery in Sydney receive a comprehensive assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on their BMI, medical history and weight loss goals.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Pros
- Excellent weight loss success and long-term maintenance.
- Ability to tolerate a normal range of food choices.
- Good for mild to moderately controlled diabetes.
- Can improve fertility in women, with a higher likelihood of a healthy neonatal weight at full-term delivery than a gastric bypass. (Please note: pregnancy is not advised in the first 6-12 months after Bariatric Surgery.)
Gastric Sleeve Surgery cons
- A small number of patients may experience Vitamin B12 or Iron deficiency long-term.
Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass
Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are two of the most effective surgical options for long-term weight loss, but they work in different ways and may be recommended for different patients.
Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) involves removing approximately 75–80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow sleeve-shaped stomach. This smaller stomach restricts how much food can be eaten and also reduces the production of hunger hormones such as ghrelin, helping patients feel full sooner and eat less.
Gastric bypass surgery, including single loop gastric bypass and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, works by creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting part of the small intestine. This not only limits food intake but also changes how calories and nutrients are absorbed by the body.
Both procedures can produce significant and sustained weight loss and may improve obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnoea. Gastric Sleeve surgery is often considered a simpler procedure, while gastric bypass may be recommended for patients with severe reflux, diabetes, or those requiring greater metabolic effects.
The most appropriate procedure depends on your medical history, weight loss goals, and individual health factors. A specialist bariatric consultation with Dr David Joseph can help determine whether gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery is the best option for you.
Patients exploring bariatric procedures often compare gastric sleeve with other options such as single loop gastric bypass and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Learn more about the different types of weight loss surgery procedures available.
common Gastric Sleeve questions
Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery FAQs
Why choose Gastric Sleeve surgery?
If you have attempted many other more common forms of weight loss without long-term success, a Gastric Sleeve may finally set you on the right path.
Gastric Sleeves are one of the most popular weight loss surgery procedures in the world. They are an effective tool to help people achieve rapid and dramatic weight loss. A Gastric Sleeve is a safe surgery that has been performed for decades – and has helped thousands of people to finally achieve their weight loss goals.
Gastric Sleeve surgery results in the stomach being reduced in size. One of the benefits of this is reduced hunger. In removing a portion of the stomach, Gastric Sleeves also result in the removal of the fundus, or the top part of the stomach that produces the hormones that usually drive hunger.
With less production of hunger hormones such as ghrelin, patients will feel less hungry after a Gastric Sleeve.
How much weight will I lose with a Gastric Sleeve?
Most patients will lose between 25 and 35 percent of their starting weight following Gastric Sleeve Surgery. However, it is important to understand that a Gastric Sleeve is a weight loss tool and that individual results will vary from person to person.
While you will begin to lose weight soon after the procedure, there is also a variation in how the weight is shed over time for each individual. The weight loss surgery journey following Gastric Sleeve procedures normally takes from 12–18 months, with most of the weight coming off in the first 6 months.
Your individual weight loss will depend on a variety of factors, such as your starting weight and body-mass index (BMI), gender, age, exercise, diet and overall health. When you consult with one of our surgeons, we’ll be able to give you guidance about how much weight you can expect to shed after your surgery.
How long does Gastric Sleeve last?
The effects of a Gastric Sleeve are permanent, and will help you lose or maintain a lower weight in the long term.
A Gastric Sleeve is not reversible. During the procedure part of the stomach is removed, and the remaining portion shaped into a narrower sleeve. Because of the permanent nature of this change, the stomach cannot be restored to its original shape, once the surgery is completed.
It’s precisely this long-term nature that makes the Gastric Sleeve an attractive weight loss solution. Widely considered an effective solution to obesity, Gastric Sleeves have helped thousands of people to regain freedom in their lives.
How do you qualify for Gastric Sleeve surgery?
There are a few criteria used to determine suitability for Gastric Sleeve surgery. Our surgeons consider the patient’s BMI (Body Mass Index) and in addition, also consider the patient’s overall health and any existing medical diagnoses.
Our surgeons perform Gastric Sleeve surgery on patients with a BMI of 35 and above. There are however exceptions. With a BMI of 30-34, our Bariatric Surgeons would discuss your particular concerns, your weight loss history and weight loss attempts. They will also discuss any existing conditions such as Diabetes, PCOS, sleep apnoea, arthritis, joint issues or fertility concerns with you in order to determine suitability for the procedure.
If you would like to discuss your suitability for surgery, please give us a call on 9565 5505 and the team will be happy to provide further advice.
What is Gastric Sleeve Pre-Operative Care?
All patients are required to commence an Optifast-based diet for a period of 2-3 weeks, prior to Gastric Sleeve surgery. This diet induces a change to the patient’s metabolism, putting it into a Ketotic state, known as Ketosis.
During this period the patient’s diet will be restricted, with only certain additional foods allowed. Your dietitian will provide a clear direction tailored to you. There are no carbohydrates, sugars, fruits or juices permitted during this Optifast period.
The ketosis will result in fat stores coming out of the liver to provide the metabolic fuel your body needs. This reduction of liver fat stores in the lead-up is critical for the surgery, as it is necessary to retract the liver during surgery.
It ensures the liver retraction can be done safely, without the risk of damaging or tearing the liver during the procedure.
Some patients may note that they lose 5-10% of their body weight during this period. (It would be terrific if this were sustainable long-term, but Optifast isn’t sustainable over time.)
Medication
Most medications can continue until the day of surgery, and they will be recommenced post-operatively under our direction.
There are several blood thinners and anti-platelet agents which will need to be stopped 2-10 days prior to surgery depending on the particular medication. We will provide advice tailored to each patient.
Fish Oil supplements should not be consumed within 14 days of surgery.
What is Gastric Sleeve Post-Operative Care?
Wound Care
The small keyhole incisions are all closed with dissolving stitches, which are all placed under the skin so that patients will never need to see them. We also use either tissue glue or steristrips and waterproof dressings, to ensure the skin heals in a clean and dry environment.
Patients can bathe or shower with these dressings in place, although they should be patted dry afterwards. The dressings are normally removed 10 days after surgery, and the incisions should have healed nicely by then.
Pain Management
Most patients’ post-operative discomfort has settled at the time of discharge from the hospital. However, some patients may require a small amount of oral medication, to help manage ongoing discomfort for a week or so. This can include Panadol, Panadeine Forte, Endone or occasionally other medicines.
Other Medicines
Routine medications can be recommenced as directed in the post-operative phase. Any blood-thinning agents that patients were previously taking will also be recommenced as directed by the medical team.
Many patients will be directed to take a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) such as Nexium, Somac or Losec for a certain period after surgery, to reduce stomach acid production.
What is Gastric Sleeve Post-Operative Diet?
Surgery will help patients to start their weight loss journey. However, in order to achieve successful long-term results, dietary and behavioural changes are necessary.
While each patient will be given specific dietary advice based on their personal requirements, the following are very brief recommended guidelines following Gastric Sleeve surgery.
- Week 1 Liquid nourishment
- Weeks 2 – 4 Pureed food
- Week 4 + Commencement of soft solid diet.
** For more dietary information, please speak with your BodyFree Dietitian, who will provide you with a more comprehensive plan.
What is Gastric Sleeve recovery time?
As a guide, most patients need 2-3 nights in hospital post-op and, depending on the work in which you are employed, anywhere from 3-14 days off work.
Most patients can start walking within a few days, and more vigorous exercise can commence within 3 weeks
What are the long term survival benefits?
The weight loss results of a Gastric Sleeve have positive impacts on many aspects of your overall health. Not only will it make your life more comfortable, for patients with diabetes, there is some evidence that Gastric Sleeve surgery can impact life expectancy in the long term.
For severely obese patients who are suffering from diabetes, Gastric Sleeves can drive significant weight loss as well as changes in metabolism. These changes may help to manage or even drive the remission of type 2 diabetes.
As obesity and its associated health conditions are some of the leading causes of death, a proactive step to manage your health such as Gastric Sleeve surgery may have positive consequences for your life expectancy.
How much does a Gastric Sleeve cost?
How much a Gastric Sleeve costs in Australia depends on whether you have private health insurance cover.
For patients with private health insurance that covers then for Weight Loss Surgery, BodyFree Weight Loss Clinic offers an all-inclusive Gastric Sleeve cost in Sydney of $4,990.
This means we can provide you with the best possible care for a single, fixed fee. You’ll get all the care you need, without the worry of additional Gastric Sleeve surgery costs piling up.
You can check whether your private health insurance covers Gastric Sleeve surgery, by looking up the procedure item number 31575. Please note that your private health insurer may require you to pay an excess that is not included in our Gastric Sleeve cost.
If you have Medicare but no private health insurance, we still offer fixed-price Gastric Sleeve cost in Sydney, fees start from $14,490. Please reach out to our staff for a quote.
What other Weight Loss Surgery procedures are available?
If you are considering Gastric Sleeve Surgery, it is helpful to understand how it compares with other bariatric procedures. Several surgical options are available, and each works in a slightly different way to support long-term weight loss.
- Gastric Sleeve Surgery reduces the size of the stomach to limit food intake and reduce hunger hormones.
- Single Loop Gastric Bypass combines stomach restriction with intestinal bypass to reduce calorie absorption.
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is a traditional gastric bypass procedure that changes digestion to promote weight loss and metabolic improvement.
- Revision Bariatric Surgery may be recommended if a previous weight loss surgery needs correction or adjustment.
Your bariatric surgeon, Dr David Joseph, will recommend the most appropriate procedure after assessing your health, BMI, and previous surgical history.
Learn more about your weight loss surgery options and which procedure may be most suitable for you.
Considering Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
If you are considering gastric sleeve surgery in Sydney, our experienced bariatric team led by Dr David Joseph, provides personalised assessment and treatment options tailored to your health needs.
Your Bariatric Surgeon
Dr David Joseph is an experienced bariatric surgeon providing gastric sleeve surgery in Sydney. He specialises in weight loss surgery procedures including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and revision bariatric surgery.
Dr Joseph works with a multidisciplinary bariatric team including dietitians and support specialists to help patients achieve safe and sustainable long-term weight loss.
Learn more about gastric bypass surgery and revision bariatric surgery in Sydney.
In addition to Bariatric Surgery, Dr David Joseph also performs further surgical procedures including gallbladder removal, hernia repair and liver and kidney transplant.
