Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery in Delhi Dr. Kapil Agrawal

What Is Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Sleeve gastrectomy is a keyhole (laparoscopic & robotic) weight-loss operation in which we remove about 75–80% of the stomach. What remains is a slim, banana-shaped tube — the “sleeve.” Your stomach goes from holding around 1.5 litres of food to roughly 200 millilitres.

Because the stomach is much smaller, you feel full after a small meal and naturally eat less. But the benefit goes deeper than size alone.

The part of the stomach we remove (the fundus) is the main source of ghrelin, the hormone that signals hunger to your brain. With far less ghrelin in your system, your appetite drops dramatically. This is why patients often tell us, a few weeks after surgery, that they simply do not think about food the way they used to.

Unlike gastric bypass, the sleeve does not reroute or bypass your intestines. Nothing is implanted, and food still travels through the normal digestive path. This keeps the operation simpler, lowers the risk of long-term vitamin malabsorption and makes follow-up easier.

How Sleeve Gastrectomy Helps You Lose Weight

The surgery works in three connected ways:

• Smaller portions: A small stomach means you feel satisfied after a modest plate of food.
• Reduced hunger: With less ghrelin, the constant urge to snack fades.
• Better metabolism: Hormonal changes help your body burn fat and control blood sugar more efficiently.

Together, these effects make it far easier to stick to healthy eating — not through willpower alone, but because your biology is finally working with you instead of against you.

Who Is the Right Candidate for Sleeve Gastrectomy?

One of the most important things we assess at Habilite Clinics is whether surgery is genuinely the right choice for you. Many clinics still use older Western weight criteria. We follow the most current and India-relevant standards.

In 2022, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) updated their guidelines. They recognised that people of Asian origin — including Indians — develop obesity-related disease at a lower body mass index (BMI) than Western populations, largely because of higher visceral (belly) fat.

Asian-specific BMI guidelines (2022 ASMBS/IFSO)

For Asian patients, the recommended thresholds are:

• BMI of 25 kg/m² or above is considered clinical obesity (compared with 30 in Western guidelines).
• BMI of 27.5 kg/m² or above, especially with a condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver, PCOS or sleep apnoea, means surgery should be considered.
• BMI of 32.5 kg/m² or above is generally an indication for surgery even without other health problems.

This matters because a patient who would be turned away under outdated Western cut-offs may, in fact, be an excellent candidate for surgery under these Asian-specific guidelines. During your consultation, Dr. Kapil Agrawal personally reviews your BMI, health conditions, past weight-loss efforts and goals before recommending any procedure.

You may be a candidate if you:

• Have a BMI in the range described above for Asian patients.
• Have struggled to lose weight despite diet, exercise or medication.
• Have a weight-related health problem such as diabetes, hypertension or joint pain.
• Are between roughly 18 and 65 years of age (we assess each case individually).
• Are ready to commit to long-term healthy eating and regular follow-up.

This matters because a patient who would be turned away under outdated Western cut-offs may, in fact, be an excellent candidate for surgery under these Asian-specific guidelines. During your consultation, Dr. Kapil Agrawal personally reviews your BMI, health conditions, past weight-loss efforts and goals before recommending any procedure.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Procedure

The sleeve gastrectomy surgery procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Here is what to expect, step by step:

• We make a few small (keyhole) incisions in the upper abdomen, each less than a centimetre.
• A tiny camera (laparoscope) and fine instruments are passed through these openings.
• Using a surgical stapler, we carefully remove about 75–80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow sleeve.
• The removed portion is taken out through one of the small incisions.
• We check the staple line thoroughly to ensure it is secure and leak-free before closing.

Because the operation is laparoscopic, there is far less pain, less scarring and a much quicker recovery than open surgery.

Single-incision (scarless) sleeve gastrectomy

For selected patients, we also offer a single-port approach, where the entire operation is carried out through one small cut hidden inside the belly button. The result is a virtually scar-free abdomen, with even less discomfort and faster healing. Patients with a very high BMI, a previous abdominal surgery or certain liver conditions are usually advised to have the standard laparoscopic approach, which remains extremely safe and effective.

How Much Weight Will I Lose?

Results vary from person to person, but on average our gastric sleeve patients lose around 60 to 70% of their excess body weight within 12 to 18 months. Beyond the numbers on the scale, the health improvements are often life-changing.

The surgery frequently leads to:

• Improvement or remission of type 2 diabetes, sometimes within days.
• Lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol.
• Relief from obstructive sleep apnoea.
• Better fertility and more regular cycles in women with PCOS.
• Reduced strain on knees, hips and the lower back.
• More energy, better mood and renewed confidence.

That said, surgery is a powerful tool, not a magic switch. The patients who do best are the ones who use the “honeymoon” period after surgery to build lasting habits around protein, portion control and movement.

Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Gastric Bypass: Which Is Right for You?

When patients weigh up sleeve gastrectomy vs gastric bypass, they are comparing the two most common weight-loss surgeries we perform. Neither is “better” in general — the right choice depends on your weight, health conditions and lifestyle. Here is a simple comparison:

If you have severe acid reflux (GERD), Dr. Kapil Agrawal may suggest gastric bypass instead, as the sleeve can sometimes worsen reflux. For others, a mini gastric bypass may be the better fit. This is exactly the kind of personalised decision we make together during your consultation.

Are There Any Risks or Sleeve Gastrectomy Side Effects?

The side effects of sleeve gastrectomy surgery are usually minor and settle within the first few weeks. It is a safe, well-established operation, and at experienced centres complication rates are very low. Still, every surgery carries some risk, and we believe in being completely transparent. Possible risks include:

• Bleeding or infection (uncommon).
• A leak from the staple line (rare, and carefully checked for during surgery).

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Cost in Delhi

The sleeve gastrectomy surgery cost in Delhi is one of the first questions almost every patient asks, and it is a fair one. The cost of gastric sleeve surgery in Delhi typically ranges from around ₹2,50,000 to ₹4,50,000, depending on the hospital, the surgeon’s experience, the type of room, and whether advanced techniques such as single-incision surgery are used. For a detailed breakdown of every factor that affects pricing — hospital infrastructure, stapler quality, surgeon experience, procedure type and insurance — see our complete guide to bariatric surgery cost in Delhi.

Many health insurance policies in India now cover bariatric surgery when it is medically indicated, particularly for patients with obesity-related conditions such as diabetes. Our team helps you understand your coverage and assists with the paperwork. During your consultation, we provide a clear, itemised estimate with no hidden charges.

Why Choose Dr. Kapil Agrawal for Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery in Delhi?

Choosing the right surgeon is the most important decision you will make on this journey. Here is why patients across Delhi NCR and from abroad trust Dr. Kapil Agrawal and the team at Habilite Clinics:

• Senior Consultant Bariatric Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Delhi NCR, with 23+ years of surgical experience.
• Internationally trained: MBBS, MS (Surgery), MRCS (London) and MMed (Singapore).
• Over 7,000 minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures performed.
• Among the few surgeons in Delhi offering scar-free single-incision surgery in suitable patients.
• Decisions guided by the latest evidence, including the 2022 ASMBS/IFSO Asian-specific guidelines.
• A complete team approach: experienced dietitians, structured follow-up and long-term support.
• Two convenient clinic locations in South Delhi – Lajpat Nagar and Hauz Khas.

If you have been searching for sleeve gastrectomy surgery near me, our two South Delhi clinics in Lajpat Nagar and Hauz Khas make expert bariatric care easy to reach from anywhere in Delhi NCR. From your first consultation to years after surgery, our promise is simple: honest advice, world-class surgical care and a team that walks the whole journey with you.

Ready to take the first step? Book a consultation with Dr. Kapil Agrawal at Habilite Clinics to find out whether this surgery is right for you. Call us or fill in the enquiry form to get started.