First Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy Performed in Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center

The first Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy was performed by Dr. Alex Gandsas at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. This is the first surgery of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region. Through this procedure a patient is able to lose up to 65% of his excess weight with minimum blood loss, lesser post-operative pain and complications.

Dr. Gandsas stated that the Medical Center has been using the da Vinci Surgical system for performing urologic and gynaecological procedures. He added that the surgery using the system to remove excessive weight is being performed for the first time. Sleeve Gastrectomy removes almost 75% of the stomach in such a way that it resembles the sleeve of a shirt. The procedure does not give rise to any nutritional deficiencies post-surgery as it does not touch the intestines. Conventional open sleeve gastrectomy makes a large incision on the stomach region and causes many complications after surgery. Through the da Vinci surgical procedure, minimum incision is done and requires only a single point of entry. Dr. Gandsas explained that the system provides a three-dimensional view and better freedom of movement to reach parts of the anatomy that are difficult to reach. Patients who are anaemic or suffer from Crohn’s disease and cannot undergo gastric bypass, are potential candidates for robotic sleeve gastrectomy. The procedure is suitable for patients having a BMI of 55 to 60 and who have a very thick abdominal wall.

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center has been given a five-star rating for the overall bariatric surgery for two consecutive years and is also ranked third in New Jersey.