Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Dubai
Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight-loss procedure that reduces the size of the stomach to help manage obesity and support long-term weight loss. Also known as sleeve gastrectomy, it is commonly performed laparoscopically, using small abdominal incisions and specialised surgical instruments.
Dr. Girish Juneja, Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, offers consultations for patients exploring gastric sleeve surgery in Dubai. Whether surgery is suitable for you depends on your BMI, medical history, obesity-related health conditions and personal weight-management goals.
What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery, medically known as sleeve gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a metabolic and bariatric operation used to treat obesity. The surgeon removes a large portion of the stomach and leaves a narrow, tube-shaped stomach, often described as a “sleeve”.
Roughly 75–80% of the stomach is commonly removed, although the exact approach depends on the individual patient. The smaller stomach holds less food, so you feel full sooner and eat smaller portions. Changes in gut hormones that influence hunger and fullness may also contribute to weight loss.
Compared with other bariatric procedures:
- Versus gastric band: no adjustable band is placed around the stomach.
- Versus gastric bypass: the intestines are not rerouted. See our detailed gastric sleeve versus gastric bypass comparison.
- Permanence: the removal of stomach tissue cannot be reversed.
Gastric sleeve surgery is not a cosmetic procedure or a standalone fix. It is one part of a long-term treatment plan that includes nutrition changes, physical activity, behavioural support and regular medical follow-up.
How Does Gastric Sleeve Surgery Work?
Gastric sleeve surgery supports weight management through a combination of physical and hormonal changes.
1. Reduces Stomach Capacity
The smaller stomach holds less food at one time. Patients generally need smaller portions to feel satisfied.
2. Influences Hunger and Fullness
Sleeve gastrectomy can change levels of gut hormones involved in appetite regulation, including ghrelin. These changes may reduce hunger in some patients, although individual responses vary.
3. Supports Long-Term Weight Management
The procedure can help eligible patients achieve substantial weight loss. Long-term results depend on individual health, dietary habits, physical activity and adherence to follow-up care.
4. May Improve Obesity-Related Health Conditions
Weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery may improve conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obstructive sleep apnoea.
The degree of improvement varies, and some patients continue to require medication or other treatments.
What Are the Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
For appropriately selected patients, gastric sleeve surgery may provide several health and lifestyle benefits.
1. Significant Weight Loss
Many patients experience substantial weight loss following sleeve gastrectomy, particularly during the first 12–24 months. The amount varies according to starting weight, medical history, lifestyle and follow-up care. Individual results cannot be guaranteed.
2. Potential Improvement in Related Health Conditions
Weight loss may improve type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease and other conditions associated with obesity.
3. Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach
Laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery uses small abdominal incisions, a camera and specialised instruments. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopy may reduce wound-related complications and support a faster recovery in suitable patients.
4. No Gastric Band or Intestinal Rerouting
Sleeve gastrectomy does not require an implanted gastric band or the intestinal rerouting performed during gastric bypass. However, the stomach reduction is permanent.
5. Improved Mobility and Daily Functioning
For some patients, sustained weight loss may make everyday activities more comfortable and support mobility and quality of life.
Important: The benefits and outcomes of gastric sleeve surgery differ between individuals. Your surgeon can explain the likely benefits and limitations in your particular case.
Pros and Cons of Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Dubai
Weighing the pros and cons of gastric sleeve surgery is an important part of deciding whether it is right for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Substantial weight loss for many patients | It is a major operation with surgical risks |
| May improve type 2 diabetes, blood pressure and sleep apnoea | Stomach removal is permanent and cannot be reversed |
| Minimally invasive laparoscopic approach | New or worsening acid reflux can occur |
| No adjustable band and no intestinal rerouting | Possible nutritional deficiencies, so lifelong supplements may be needed |
| Typically a short hospital stay of one to two days | Some weight regain is possible over time |
| Smaller portions and reduced hunger for many patients | Requires lasting changes to eating habits and regular follow-up |
Compare it with the alternative in our gastric sleeve versus gastric bypass guide, and discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon in light of your own health.
How Is Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Surgery Performed?
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is generally performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon uses a camera and specialised instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen.
The procedure usually involves the following steps:
Step 1: Anaesthesia and Preparation
The patient receives general anaesthesia. The surgical team monitors vital signs throughout the operation.
Step 2: Small Abdominal Incisions
The surgeon makes several small incisions to introduce a camera and surgical instruments.
Step 3: Creation of the Stomach Sleeve
A large portion of the stomach is separated and removed using surgical stapling instruments. The remaining stomach forms a narrow, sleeve-shaped tube.
Step 4: Staple-Line Assessment
The surgeon assesses the staple line and operative area according to the clinical protocol.
Step 5: Postoperative Monitoring
After the procedure, the patient is monitored during recovery from anaesthesia. The healthcare team assesses pain, hydration, mobility and overall clinical progress before discharge.
The operation commonly takes approximately one to two hours, although the actual duration varies according to surgical complexity and individual circumstances.
Single-Stapler Technology in Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Stapling is the step that divides the stomach and seals the new sleeve. The staple line is therefore one of the most important parts of the operation, because it must be secure and well formed to reduce the risk of complications such as leakage or bleeding.
In a single-stapler approach, the sleeve is created using one stapling system throughout the procedure, rather than combining different stapler types or cartridges. The aims of this approach are to keep staple-line construction consistent, to simplify the operative technique, and to support a uniform, well-sealed suture line along the length of the sleeve.
Points patients often ask about:
- What it is: a technique choice made by the surgeon, not a different operation. The result is still a sleeve gastrectomy.
- What it does not change: eligibility, the need for dietary and lifestyle changes, and the importance of follow-up care.
- What it cannot do: remove all surgical risk. Complications can still occur with any stapling technique.
Whether this approach suits you is decided during your consultation, based on your anatomy and medical history.
Who Is Eligible for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery may be suitable for adults with obesity when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Eligibility depends on BMI, medical history, obesity-related conditions and readiness for long-term lifestyle change.
The 2022 ASMBS/IFSO guidelines recommend metabolic and bariatric surgery for suitable patients with a BMI of 35 kg/m² or higher, and consider it for selected patients with a BMI of 30–34.9 kg/m² who have metabolic disease. Applicable clinical criteria and individual circumstances determine the final decision.
Pre-operative assessment
Your assessment may include:
- Weight history and previous weight-loss attempts
- Review of existing conditions, medications and allergies
- Blood tests and other laboratory investigations
- Nutritional assessment and dietitian consultation
- Evaluation of anaesthesia-related risks
- Additional tests or specialist input where indicated, for example if you have significant reflux symptoms
Your surgeon may recommend a short pre-operative diet, sometimes a low-calorie or liver-reduction diet, to shrink the liver and make the operation safer and easier to perform.
What Are the Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a major operation. Although many patients undergo the procedure successfully, complications can occur during or after surgery.
Short-Term Surgical Risks
Potential complications include:
- Bleeding during or after surgery.
- Infection.
- Adverse reactions to anaesthesia.
- Blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
- Leakage from the stomach staple line.
- Injury to nearby organs or tissues.
- Narrowing of the stomach sleeve, which can affect food passage.
Long-Term Risks
Some patients may experience:
- New or worsening gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Persistent nausea or vomiting.
- Difficulty tolerating certain foods.
- Nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, folate or vitamin D.
- Regain of some lost weight over time.
- The need for additional treatment or revision surgery.
Before proceeding, discuss your individual risk factors, expected outcomes, warning signs and the plan for managing possible complications with your surgeon.
Recovery After Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Recovery varies depending on your general health, the surgical approach and whether complications occur.
- Hospital Stay: Many patients stay in hospital for approximately one to two days, although the duration depends on their clinical progress and the treating team’s assessment.
- First Few Days After Surgery: You will receive instructions about hydration, medication, wound care, movement and warning signs that require medical attention.
- First Few Weeks: You will gradually progress through the prescribed postoperative diet. Your healthcare team will guide you on fluid intake, protein requirements, portion sizes and the transition between diet stages.
- Long-Term Recovery: Long-term care includes regular follow-up appointments, nutritional monitoring, appropriate supplementation, physical activity and sustainable eating habits.
Some patients return to many routine activities within a few weeks, but recovery differs between individuals. Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting until your surgical team confirms that it is safe.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Cost in Dubai
One of the first questions patients ask is how much gastric sleeve surgery costs. The answer differs from person to person, so a reliable figure is only possible after a consultation and assessment. If you are travelling from another emirate, such as Abu Dhabi, also factor in travel and follow-up visits when comparing quotations. Factors that commonly influence the price include:
- Hospital chosen and room category
- Surgeon’s fee and anaesthesia fees
- Length of hospital stay
- Pre-operative tests, investigations and consultations
- Technology and consumables used during surgery, including staplers
- Post-operative follow-up visits, dietitian support and medication
- Any additional procedures, such as hiatal hernia repair, if clinically needed
- Management of complications, if they arise
When comparing packages, ask exactly what is included and excluded, and request the full quotation and package terms in writing. Do not choose on price alone.
See our guide: Gastric sleeve surgery cost in Dubai
Why Consider Dr. Girish Juneja for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Choosing a bariatric surgeon involves more than comparing procedure prices. Patients should understand the surgeon’s qualifications, relevant surgical experience, hospital arrangements and approach to long-term follow-up.
During your consultation with Dr. Girish Juneja, discuss:
- Whether sleeve gastrectomy is suitable for your health and weight-management goals.
- The expected benefits and limitations of the procedure in your case.
- Potential complications and how they are managed.
- The hospital where the procedure would be performed.
- The dietary, nutritional and medical follow-up required after surgery.
- The complete treatment quotation and package terms.
Review the surgeon’s verified qualifications, relevant experience, hospital affiliations and available patient information before deciding on treatment.
Take the next step towards informed weight management.
Speak with Dr. Girish Juneja to arrange a consultation and discuss your options.
Book a consultation | Call +971 50 454 3775 | WhatsApp the clinic
Consultations are available at Trellis Hospital (Thursday and Saturday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM) and Clemenceau Hospital Dubai (Saturday, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM).
Frequently Asked Questions About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Weight loss depends on your starting weight, general health, eating habits, activity level and follow-up care. Most weight is typically lost in the first 12–24 months. Your surgeon can discuss realistic expectations for you, but no specific result can be guaranteed.
It may improve blood glucose control in some patients, particularly when excess weight and insulin resistance contribute to the condition. The extent of improvement varies, and diabetes medication or ongoing treatment may still be necessary.
Yes. Some patients develop new or worsening acid reflux after sleeve gastrectomy. Patients with significant pre-existing reflux should discuss this risk and alternative bariatric procedures with their surgeon.
Like all major operations, sleeve gastrectomy carries risks, including bleeding, infection, staple-line leakage, blood clots and nutritional deficiencies. A comprehensive assessment and appropriate surgical and postoperative care help manage risks but cannot eliminate them.
Package inclusions vary by provider. Ask for written confirmation of surgeon fees, anaesthesia, hospital stay, investigations, medications and follow-up care, along with a list of exclusions and potential additional charges.
The price depends on the hospital, surgeon’s fees, investigations, length of stay and package inclusions. Contact the provider for a current quotation based on your treatment requirements.
Watch: Sleeve Gastrectomy Explained
Watch the approved video below for a brief explanation of sleeve gastrectomy, including how the procedure works and how it supports weight management.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for general educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Suitability, risks and expected outcomes must be assessed individually by a qualified healthcare professional.
