How gastric sleeve surgery works as Sandra Dacha opens up about having part of her stomach removed

Kenyan actress and event organiser Sandra Dacha has opened up about undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, a weight-loss procedure that involves removing a large portion of the stomach to reduce how much food a person can eat.

Dacha revealed that she underwent the operation on September 30, 2026, weeks after sharing an emotional video showing her being wheeled into the surgery room. The actress said several people had been curious about the video and decided to explain what had happened during the procedure.

She disclosed the news on Monday, November 9, 2026, giving an update about the operation that had prompted questions from people who had watched her earlier video.

“A few of you have been wondering what was happening in that emotional video I shared last week, where I was being taken into the surgery room. Well, it’s time to let you in,” Dacha said.

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight-loss operation in which doctors remove about 75% to 80% of the stomach. The remaining portion is reshaped into a narrow tube that looks like a banana.

The main purpose of the procedure is to reduce the amount of food the stomach can hold at a time. With a much smaller stomach, patients eat smaller portions and feel full much faster than they did before the operation.

The surgery also affects hormones linked to hunger. A large part of the stomach that produces ghrelin, commonly known as the hunger hormone, is removed during the procedure. This reduces ghrelin levels, which can lower appetite and reduce food cravings.

Unlike gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve does not involve rerouting the small intestines. Food continues moving through the normal digestive system, although patients still need dietary guidance and vitamin monitoring.

The operation is usually performed using small cuts in the abdomen, with doctors using a camera to guide the procedure. It can also be done with robotic assistance and takes about one to two hours under general anaesthesia.

Recovery involves a hospital stay of about one to two nights, while patients may return to non-physical work within two to four weeks.

Dacha’s revelation has provided details about the operation she underwent on September 30, 2026, after initially sharing a video of herself being taken into the surgery room.

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