Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) at Spire Washington Hospital

At Spire Washington Hospital, we provide comprehensive private hospital care for our patients across the North East. We have a choice of bariatric surgeons who perform gastric sleeve surgery to help with weight loss. They’ll provide you with a treatment and recovery plan that’s tailored to your individual needs.

You can expect excellent aftercare and follow-up support from your healthcare team plus modern facilities that offer all the comfort and convenience you’d expect at home.

The hospital is within easy reach of the A1(M), close to Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland. Public transport options are available. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultations

Your initial appointments will take place with a bariatric nurse in one of our 10 accessible consultation rooms. During your consultations, we’ll:

• Find out about your medical history
• Explain the different surgical methods and what's recommended for you
• Tell you about the general anaesthetic and how it may affect you
• Explain your personalised aftercare, diet and exercise plans and how the surgery will affect your lifestyle in the long term
• Discuss any risks and complications and how they may affect you personally

Your consultations give you the opportunity to ask any questions you have about your treatment or aftercare. You may want to make a note of any questions you have in advance.

Once you and your consultant have decided to go ahead with gastric sleeve surgery, you’ll be assessed by a dietitian and a psychologist. You’ll also need to have a pre-operative assessment which may include:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Blood tests
• Endoscopy

While you’re with us, you’ll have your own comfortable, en-suite room. All of our rooms have:

• TV
• Window
• Armchair
• Wardrobe
• En-suite

Here’s what will happen on the day of your operation:

• You’ll have a chance to meet your consultant, anaesthetist and the surgical team before your surgery
• You’ll have a general anaesthetic
• Your consultant will make incisions in your abdomen and remove part of your stomach

If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they’re welcome to wait in your room while you have your operation.

Surgery takes one to two hours. You’ll be with us for around two days after you operation.

While you’re in the hospital, your nursing team will give you pain relief as and when you need it so that you’re comfortable as you recover.

After you leave hospital, we’ll arrange to see you for check-up appointments for at least two years after your surgery so we can keep track of your progress and ensure you’re recovering and losing weight as intended. A dietitian will give you advice before and after surgery.

Although everyone’s different, here’s a typical recovery guide for gastric sleeve surgery: