Sleeve Gastrectomy- New Information

Posted on July 6, 2010 in Latest News, Sleeves

For all you guys wondering what is going on with the Sleeve Gastrectomy in terms of insurance coverage and new research, here’s the scoop:

Insurance coverage: United Healthcare and Aetna (large mainland insurance companies) now cover the Sleeve Gastrectomy under standard NIH criteria. Medicare and local insurances still are reluctant to follow suit, but my guess is that they will do the same in the next year or two.

Basic Science: We have always thought of the Sleeve Gastrectomy as a restrictive procedure, where weight loss is acheived through limiting the amount of food intake. But this category is probably too simplistic. Ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach that signals hunger and fullness, is significantly reduced after this procedure. Also, people with diabetes see immediate improvement after this surgery which is most likely due to rapid transit of food to the ileum, initiating hormones that alter glucose metabolism.