Gastric Sleeve

Gastric Sleeve

This surgical intervention involves the complete removal of a big part of the stomach, which eventually takes the shape of a small, sleeve-shaped stomach. This not only restricts the intake of food but also brings about a change in hormonal responses associated with hunger and satiety. In this way, gastric sleeve surgery will help an individual to attain a huge amount of reduction in weight and maintain better health.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is one form of bariatric surgery in which there is a reduction in the size of the stomach by about 75 to 80 percent. It includes removal of the outer part of the stomach and results in a narrow tubular stomach, somewhat resembling a banana or sleeve shape. When smaller, this stomach significantly limits food intake and also promotes the feeling of early fullness, leading to a reduction of calorie intake and considerable weight loss over some time.

Who is a Candidate for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Generally, sleeve gastrectomy has been indicated for individuals described by the following:

Body Mass Index (BMI): Generally, a patient has a BMI of at least 40 or above 35 with diseases related to obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.

Prior Attempts at Weight Loss: Patients must have tried weight reduction through dieting, exercise, or medications without success over quite some time.

Commitment towards Life Changes: The success depends upon the individual's determination towards life changes, diet adjustment, and exercise and physical activities.

In every case, consultation with a health care provider is necessary to find out if this procedure shall be performed on an individual.

Advantages of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The advantages of gastric sleeve surgery are not confined to weight reduction only:

Considerable Weight Reduction: Most of the patients are seen to reduce their extra weight by 50-70% within one year after surgery.

Improvement in Obesity-Related Comorbid Conditions: Comorbid conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea often get resolved or improved following the surgery.

Quality of Life: Generally, there is improvement in the levels of physical mobility, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

Reduced Hunger Hormones: The surgery decreases the secretion of hormones such as ghrelin, which provoke hunger; thus, it reduces appetite.

The Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery is usually performed with the aid of a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique. The following describe the steps involved:

Anesthesia: The patient is put under general anesthesia.

Surgical Technique: Small-sized incisions are made within the abdomen, through which the surgeon removes a big part of the stomach and staples the remaining part into the form of a sleeve.

Hospital Stay: Most patients will stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days post-surgery to be observed and treated while recovering.

The whole process generally takes about 1-2 hours.
 

Complications Possible and Risks

Gastric sleeve surgery is life-changing, but also with some risks. Some of the possible complications include the following:

Infection: Any surgical operation has some risk at the incision site due to infection.

Bleeding: There might be internal bleeding at any point during and after the surgery that may involve further medical interference.

Nutritional Deficiencies: This involves deficiencies of vitamins and minerals that may need lifelong supplementation.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Few patients develop GERD after the surgery.

It is important to note that discussing all these risks with a healthcare provider helps one make an informed decision.

Recovery and Post-Operative Care

The recovery after gastric sleeve surgery includes several important steps for the patient:

Diet Progression: The patients usually start with clear liquids, progress to full liquids and add pureed and solid food over some weeks in their diet.

Follow-up Visits: Very important to follow up regularly with the healthcare team regarding weight loss and any other concerns.

Physical Activity: Advise on progressive return to physical activity, emphasizing regular exercise habits.

Nutritional Care: The main emphasis is to be on a balanced diet with more protein, fiber, and necessary minerals and vitamins.

Long-term Lifestyle Changes

For long-term success following gastric sleeve surgery, sustained lifestyle changes need to include:

Healthy Eating Habits: Maintaining a balanced diet, with the main emphasis on whole foods and a minimal amount of processed foods, helps significantly in sustaining weight loss.

Regular Exercise: The integration of exercise into everyday life assists in furthering the cause of weight maintenance and overall health.

Support Systems: Receiving encouragement and motivation on continuous levels through support groups or counseling.

Gastric sleeve surgery has become a life-changing option for people affected by obesity and its related comorbid health issues. Knowing the procedure, the benefits, the risks, and lifestyle changes can certainly aid a patient in taking this major step toward improved health.  You can achieve lasting weight loss and improvement in well-being with the right support and commitment.