The SASI operation is an emerging option for weight loss and for managing type 2 diabetes. It combines the advantages of sleeve gastrectomy and mini gastric bypass into a single surgical procedure. This blend aims to achieve effective weight reduction while minimizing vitamin and mineral deficiencies that often follow traditional bypass surgery.
What Is the SASI Operation?
Also known as Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal Bypass (SASI surgery), this procedure merges two techniques:
- Sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the stomach’s size and appetite.
- Mini gastric bypass, which decreases food absorption.
Some studies show that the SASI operation helps patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes achieve weight loss and improve blood sugar control, with high improvement rates.
It’s also considered an important advancement in bariatric surgery because it significantly reduces the lifelong need for daily vitamin supplements compared to traditional bypass surgery.
How Is the SASI Operation Performed?
During SASI surgery, the surgeon first performs a sleeve gastrectomy to create a smaller stomach pouch. Then, part of the ingested food is rerouted directly to the small intestine through a new bypass route, while the rest continues through the normal digestive path. This design helps the body absorb nutrients better, while still promoting significant weight loss.
Why Choose the SASI Operation? – Key Advantages
- Excellent weight loss results while maintaining better nutritional balance.
- High remission rates for type 2 diabetes
- Helps reduce complications related to obesity, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint problems.
- Lower risk of severe vitamin and mineral deficiencies, reducing the need for long‑term supplements.
Disadvantages and Limitations of SASI Surgery
- The SASI operation is still under clinical evaluation and has not yet received full approval from the leading bariatric surgery societies.
- Requires an experienced bariatric surgeon due to the technical complexity of combining two procedures.
- Patients still need regular follow‑up visits and periodic blood tests to monitor vitamin levels.
Who Is The Candidate Best Suited for SASI Surgery?
- Patients with a high body mass index (typically BMI > 35) who also have chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
- Individuals seeking significant weight loss while minimizing the risk of severe vitamin deficiencies.
- Patients who consume large amounts of sugary foods.
- Patients with a high body mass index (typically BMI > 35) who also have chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Take the First Step with Contours Obesity Solutions
Your well-being is our focus. At Contours Obesity Solutions, we stand beside you with personalized support and expert care. Start your journey today by booking an appointment.
FAQs
Both Gastric sleeve is made together with gastric bypass by connecting stomach exit with the intestine after passing a part of it, resulting in two ways for passage of food:
- Sleeved stomach passage: around 30% of food passes through and so vitamins and minerals are normally absorbed.
- Gastric bypass passage: around 70% of food passes through and so the majority of food and sugars are not absorbed which results in less calorie absorption, weight loss and hence, treatment of diabetes.
Diabetics whose BMI is over 30.
Non-diabetics whose BMI is over 35, in presence of other medical problems as diabetes or hypertension..
Just exactly as antidiabetic drugs but in a healthy natural way by:
Encouraging your pancreas to secrete your own insulin hormone.
Correcting your body cells’ insulin resistance.
Decreasing the amount of calories absorbed compared to what you actually eat.
The SASI operation was invented to provide the key for obese patients without suffering vitamin deficiencies after the operation and hence, eliminate the need for vitamins on the long run. You needn’t continue on vitamins and supplements for long periods after SASI operation. This is owing to the fact that 30% of food would have a natural pathway (food pipe-tummy-small bowel) where the minerals, nutrients and vitamins get absorbed.
You will lose around 60% of your extra weight in the first 6 months; you can reach your ideal weight within the first 9-12 months after the operation, guided by our nutrition specialists and adhering to your follow up meetings while complying with our surgical team instructions.