Gastric sleeve surgery is not reversible because approximately 75% to 80% of the stomach is permanently removed and discarded. This laparoscopic procedure reshapes the remaining stomach into a narrow tube. While surgeons can convert the sleeve into a gastric bypass, the original anatomy cannot be restored.
- Tissue removal: Surgeons physically excise the large curvature, leaving a banana-sized stomach pouch.
- Anatomical change: The remaining gastric tissue does not regenerate or regrow after removal.
- Revision options: Patients with severe GERD can convert the sleeve to a gastric bypass.
- Polish standards: ISO-certified clinics in Poland include detailed permanence clauses in international patient contracts.
Bookimed Expert Insight: High-volume clinics like KCM Clinic focus on surgical precision to prevent the need for revisions. Professor Piotr Major has performed over 1,600 bariatric procedures. His high volume correlates with lower infection rates, which is critical since the procedure is permanent.
Patient Consensus: Many patients emphasize that this is a life-altering, `no take-backs` decision. They recommend trying medical weight loss first, as lifelong B12 supplementation and dietary changes are strictly required post-surgery.