Living with obesity is more than a physical challenge. It affects your energy, your confidence, your health, and your daily quality of life. If you've tried diet and exercise programs without achieving lasting results, sleeve gastrectomy surgery may be the solution you've been looking for. Also known as the gastric sleeve or VSG surgery, sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most widely performed and highly effective bariatric procedures available today, offering significant weight loss and meaningful improvements in obesity-related health conditions.
At Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center, our board-certified bariatric surgeons have extensive experience performing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and are committed to delivering exceptional, individualized care at every stage of your weight loss journey. Our MBSA and AAAHC-accredited facility in Johns Creek has been serving patients in the Atlanta area since 2013, and our 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio ensures that every patient receives the focused, attentive care they deserve.
We accept most major insurance plans and offer self-pay options at competitive rates. Find out if you're a candidate and request a consultation with our team today.
During a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon permanently removes approximately 80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow, tube-shaped pouch — or "sleeve" — roughly the size and shape of a banana. This smaller stomach can hold significantly less food than before, helping you feel full sooner and reducing your overall calorie intake. Importantly, sleeve gastrectomy also removes the portion of the stomach that produces ghrelin, the hormone primarily responsible for driving hunger, which means many patients experience a meaningful reduction in appetite after surgery.
The procedure is performed entirely laparoscopically, using small incisions and a tiny camera, which means no large open incisions and a significantly faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery. Most patients go home within one to two days and return to light activity within two to three weeks.
What patients typically experience after sleeve gastrectomy:
Our team provides comprehensive pre-operative education and post-operative support, including nutritional counseling and follow-up care, to help you achieve the best possible outcome and maintain your results over the long term.
Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are both highly effective bariatric procedures, but they work differently and suit different patients. Gastric bypass combines restriction with malabsorption, rerouting the intestines to reduce calorie absorption and making it particularly effective for patients with severe type 2 diabetes or a very high BMI. Sleeve gastrectomy achieves its results through restriction and hormonal changes alone, without altering the intestinal tract, which generally means a lower risk of nutritional deficiencies and a somewhat simpler recovery. Lap-Band® surgery is adjustable and reversible but involves no permanent changes and typically produces more modest results over a longer timeline. Our bariatric surgery team will review your health history, BMI, and goals during your consultation to help you determine which procedure is the best fit.
Sleeve gastrectomy is generally recommended for patients with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one serious obesity-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. Candidates should also have a documented history of unsuccessful attempts at sustained weight loss through non-surgical means and must be prepared to commit to lasting dietary and lifestyle changes following surgery.
VSG surgery may be a particularly good fit for patients who want significant, durable results without intestinal rerouting, or who are looking for a stepping stone toward additional procedures if needed. Use our BMI calculator to get started, then find out if you qualify for a consultation with our team.
The cost of sleeve gastrectomy varies depending on your insurance coverage and individual treatment plan. Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center accepts most major insurance plans, and sleeve gastrectomy is often covered when candidacy criteria are met.
Because we are a free-standing outpatient surgery center rather than a hospital, our costs are typically significantly lower than hospital-based bariatric care. Self-pay options are also available at competitive rates for patients without coverage. Our team will help verify your insurance benefits and walk you through all expected costs during your consultation so there are no surprises before you move forward.
Atlanta General and Bariatric Surgery Center in Johns Creek is one of Atlanta's most trusted providers of sleeve gastrectomy and comprehensive bariatric surgery for obesity. Our board-certified surgeons have been helping patients achieve life-changing weight loss results since 2013, and our team is here to support you at every stage of your journey.
To get started, call our office at (678) 691-6257 or request an appointment online. We serve patients throughout Metro Atlanta and welcome those traveling from Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and beyond. We look forward to helping you take the first step toward a healthier, fuller life.