Sleeve Gastrectomy: Inside the Operating Room
Can sleeve gastrectomy be done under spinal anesthesia at 180 kg?
Yes. Dr. Mohammad Al-Zaitawi routinely performs laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy under spinal anesthesia with sedation after the anesthesiologist’s assessment, including Mohammad at 180 kg, who stayed awake and breathed on his own during surgery. General anesthesia remains ready if needed.
“Mashallah, it beat me my whole life”
Those were Mohammad’s words as he lay awake on the operating table after sleeve gastrectomy under spinal anesthesia, looking at the part of his stomach that had been removed. At 180 kg he was in a high weight range that needs careful anesthetic and surgical planning, and the photo shows the operation was done laparoscopically while he stayed conscious and breathed on his own.
How spinal anesthesia works in sleeve surgery
The center routinely performs laparoscopic bariatric surgery under spinal anesthesia with sedation, after the anesthesiologist assesses each patient before surgery. The anesthetic is injected in the lower back so the abdomen and lower body are numb, while the patient breathes on their own without a breathing tube and stays awake or sedated for comfort. General anesthesia remains ready at any moment if the case requires it.
Sleeve gastrectomy at high body weight: why planning matters
At 180 kg the pre-operative assessment matters even more: heart and lung checks, blood sugar and blood pressure, sleep apnea and the size of a fatty liver. A low-calorie diet for about two weeks before surgery may be advised to shrink the liver and make laparoscopic access to the stomach easier, before about 80–85% of the stomach is removed to leave a narrow tube-shaped sleeve.
After surgery: early walking and follow-up
Patients start walking within hours of surgery to prevent clots, begin with clear fluids and then move through the eating stages with the dietitian. At high body weight, nutrition follow-up, vitamins and regular blood tests are the foundation of a stable result.
The journey, step by step
- Pre-operative assessment
Heart, lung, blood sugar and blood pressure checks and anesthetic review at 180 kg.
- Preparation
A low-calorie diet before surgery to shrink the liver, as the doctor advises.
- Sleeve under spinal anesthesia
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with Mohammad awake and breathing on his own.
- The first hours
Early walking, clear fluids and monitoring of vital signs.
- Follow-up
Eating stages with the dietitian, vitamins and regular blood tests.
Patients weighing 180 kg need careful planning before surgery. Spinal anesthesia spares them a breathing tube and helps them move early after surgery, which is why we use it routinely after the anesthesiologist’s assessment. Long-term success after a sleeve, however, depends on following the nutrition plan and attending follow-up. Results vary from patient to patient.
This story reflects one patient's experience. Your result depends on your starting weight, health, the chosen procedure and your commitment after surgery. Only a personal medical evaluation can tell you what to expect.
An operating-room photo from Dr. Mohammad Al-Zaitawi’s bariatric and laparoscopic surgery center in Jordan showing a patient named Mohammad, who weighed 180 kg, after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy under spinal anesthesia with sedation. The patient is awake and breathing on his own, and the removed part of the stomach (about 80–85%) is visible. Sleeve surgery takes about 45–60 minutes with a 1–3 day hospital stay depending on the case.
Frequently asked questions
Does the patient feel pain during sleeve surgery under spinal anesthesia?
No. Spinal anesthesia fully numbs the abdomen and lower body, and sedation keeps the patient comfortable or lightly asleep, with the anesthesiologist monitoring throughout.
Does very high body weight rule out sleeve gastrectomy?
No. High weight is not a contraindication on its own, but it needs a closer assessment of the heart, lungs, sleep apnea and liver, and sometimes dietary preparation before surgery. The surgeon chooses the most suitable operation for each case.
What are the advantages of spinal over general anesthesia?
The patient breathes without a breathing tube, there is usually less nausea after surgery and good pain control in the first hours, which helps early walking. It can occasionally cause a temporary drop in blood pressure or temporary difficulty passing urine.
How long is the hospital stay after sleeve gastrectomy?
Usually one to three days, depending on the patient’s health, recovery and how well fluids are tolerated.
How do I know if sleeve under spinal anesthesia suits me?
Send your weight, height, age, chronic conditions and medications via WhatsApp +962 79 570 2800 for an initial assessment; the anesthesiologist and surgeon then set the plan after tests.
