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The Sleeve Clinic

Understanding Gastric Sleeve Surgery

One Procedure.
A Lifetime of Change.

Gastric sleeve surgery is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure in the world. It’s minimally invasive, takes under an hour, and gives your body the reset it needs to achieve lasting weight loss — and keep it off long-term.

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Or call us: 905-276-5999

65–80%
Excess weight loss
in the first 18 months
< 60 min
Typical
procedure time
90%+
Patient
satisfaction rate
4–5
Tiny incisions
minimally invasive
★★★★★4.9/5 on Google · #1 on RateMDs

The Basics

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery — formally called “vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG)” — is a minimally invasive procedure where your surgeon reduces the size of your stomach by about 70–80%.

Through a few small incisions (each about the size of a fingertip), your surgeon reshapes your stomach from a wide, stretchy balloon into a narrow, banana-shaped “sleeve.” The procedure typically takes less than an hour.

No rerouting of your stomach and intestines. Unlike gastric bypass, the sleeve keeps your digestive system intact.

But the sleeve does something far more powerful than just making your stomach smaller. It fundamentally changes the hormones that drive hunger and metabolism — which is why the results are so dramatic and lasting.

Stomach diagram showing how gastric sleeve surgery reduces the stomach by 80%, removes a portion of the stomach, and reduces hunger-causing hormones so you feel full sooner
4–5
Small incisions
< 60 min
Procedure time
Minimally
Invasive

The Science

Why the Sleeve Works So Well

It’s not just about a smaller stomach. The sleeve works through three powerful mechanisms — which is why the results are dramatically better than dieting or medications.

01
01 — Restriction

Natural Portion Control

Your new stomach holds about 150 ml — roughly the size of a banana. You’ll feel comfortably full after just a few bites, without the constant willpower battle of traditional dieting.

“You eat less naturally — not because you’re forcing yourself to.”
02
02 — Hormonal

Hunger Hormone Reduction

The removed portion of your stomach is where most of your ghrelin — the “hunger hormone” — is produced. By removing it, the surgery eliminates the primary source of constant hunger signals.

“Patients describe feeling neutral about food — a freedom many haven’t felt in decades.”
03
03 — Neurological

Decreased Cravings

With ghrelin levels dramatically reduced, the intense cravings that used to drive late-night snacking and emotional eating quiet down. Your brain stops sending the constant “eat more” signals that made willpower feel impossible.

“The noise in your head around food finally goes quiet.”

Beyond Weight Loss

The Health Benefits Most People Don’t Expect

The sleeve isn’t just a weight loss procedure — it’s increasingly recognized as metabolic surgery. The weight loss is the mechanism; the health transformation is the outcome.

91.2%
Sleep Apnea
resolution or improvement
83.5%
Type 2 Diabetes
resolution or improvement
55.8%
High Cholesterol
resolution or improvement
75%
High Blood Pressure
resolution or improvement
79%
PCOS
resolution or improvement
72%
Joint Pain
resolution or improvement

The Comparison

Gastric Sleeve vs. GLP-1 Medications

Ozempic and Wegovy have changed the conversation about weight loss. Here’s how they compare to the procedure that’s been delivering lasting results for over two decades.

Weight Loss
Gastric Sleeve: 65–80% of excess weight
GLP-1 Medications: 10–15% of total body weight
Duration
Gastric Sleeve: One-time procedure
GLP-1 Medications: Weekly injections, for life
If You Stop
Gastric Sleeve: Lasting anatomical change
GLP-1 Medications: Weight returns within months
10-Year Cost
Gastric Sleeve: One-time investment
GLP-1 Medications: $60,000+ over a decade
Hunger Hormones
Gastric Sleeve: Reduces ghrelin + boosts GLP-1 & PYY
GLP-1 Medications: Mimics GLP-1 pathway only
Health Outcomes
Gastric Sleeve: Resolves comorbidities at high rates
GLP-1 Medications: Improvement while taking medication
explore your options

GLP-1 medications may be appropriate for some patients and can complement surgery. Our team can help you evaluate the right path for your situation.

What to Expect

Recovery Is Faster Than You Think

Most patients are surprised by how quickly they’re back on their feet. Here’s what a real recovery looks like — day by day.

  1. Day of Surgery
    Up, walking, and drinking within an hour
    Within an hour or two of surgery, you’re on your feet and sipping fluids. That’s how minimally invasive this procedure is — your body is already recovering before you leave the clinic.
    15%
  2. Day 1
    Tired and bloated — that’s normal
    Rest at home. This is the hardest day, and it’s very manageable. Stay hydrated, take it slow.
    35%
  3. Day 2
    65% back to yourself
    A noticeable turn. Moving around the house comfortably, drinking fluids easily. Most patients feel the corner has been turned.
    65%
  4. Day 3
    90–95% back to normal
    This is where most patients say "that was easier than I expected." You feel like yourself again.
    93%
  5. Day 5
    Light cardio cleared
    Walking, light bike riding — gentle movement actually helps you feel better faster.
    95%
  6. Week 4–6
    Strength training cleared
    Full exercise, no restrictions. Your body is fully healed and the weight is dropping steadily.
    100%
80%
of patients
Back to work within 7 days. The other 20% choose to take the extra time for themselves and return at two weeks. Either way — this isn’t the long, grueling recovery most people imagine.

The Facts on Safety

One of the Safest Surgeries Performed Today

This may surprise you: gastric sleeve surgery is statistically safer than many common procedures you’ve probably never thought twice about — including gallbladder removal and hysterectomy.

Honest Answers

Common Concerns — Addressed Honestly

We hear these questions every day. Here’s what you actually need to know.

The Bigger Picture

What Life Actually Looks Like After

The weight loss is just the beginning. Here’s what patients tell us changes the most.

Woman hiking outdoors after gastric sleeve surgery

Physical Freedom

Playing with your kids, traveling comfortably, hiking again — activities you thought you’d given up

Woman smiling and working confidently at desk

Renewed Confidence

Patients consistently report improved self-image, reduced anxiety, and greater professional confidence

Woman preparing a healthy meal at home

Food Freedom

A healthy relationship with food — eating to live, not living to eat. Enjoying meals without guilt.

Man reflecting peacefully on his weight loss journey

Better Sleep

Deeper, uninterrupted rest — many patients ditch their CPAP machine entirely

Two friends walking together in the park

Energy & Connection

The energy to be present — for your family, your friends, yourself

Simple daily vitamin routine after sleeve surgery

Fewer Medications

Many patients reduce or eliminate blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol medications

Dr. Scott Gmora, bariatric surgeon
“
I didn’t just recommend the sleeve. I had it. When I say I believe in this surgery, I mean it with my own scar.
Dr. Scott Gmora, MD, FRCSC, FACSBariatric Surgeon & Gastric Sleeve Patient · 4,800+ Procedures · 19+ Years
Columbia University FellowshipDouble Board-CertifiedMcMaster University Professor#1 on RateMDs

Your Next Step

Ready to Learn More?

A quick, no-pressure call with Mandy — our program advisor — is the best way to get your questions answered and find out if the sleeve is right for you. It takes about 20 minutes.

schedule a quick call — freecheck if you qualify

Prefer to call? 905-276-5999 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

No commitmentNo pressureFinancing from $370/month