Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a type of weight loss surgery that involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving a narrow "sleeve" or tube-like stomach.

How it Works

The surgery works by reducing the size of the stomach, which limits the amount of food that can be consumed. The smaller stomach also produces less ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, which helps to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness.

Benefits

• Significant weight loss: Gastric sleeve surgery can result in significant weight loss, with most patients losing 50-80% of their excess body weight within the first year after surgery.
• Improved health: Weight loss from gastric sleeve surgery can also improve or resolve related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
• Reduced appetite: The smaller stomach and reduced ghrelin production help to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness, making it easier to stick to a healthy diet.

Risks and Complications

• Bleeding or hemorrhage: As with any surgery, there is a risk of bleeding or hemorrhage during or after gastric sleeve surgery.
• Infection: There is also a risk of infection with any surgical procedure, including gastric sleeve surgery.
• Leakage: One of the most serious complications of gastric sleeve surgery is leakage from the staple line, which can lead to infection and other problems.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Gastric sleeve surgery can also increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, iron, and calcium.

Surgical Procedure

The gastric sleeve surgery procedure typically takes 1-2 hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon will make several small incisions in the abdomen and use a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a camera) to visualize the stomach.

Steps of the Procedure

1. The surgeon will first divide the stomach into two parts using a stapling device, creating a narrow sleeve-like stomach.
2. The larger portion of the stomach is then removed, leaving the smaller sleeve-like stomach.
3. The surgeon will then close the incisions and the patient will be taken to the recovery room.

Recovery and Aftercare

After gastric sleeve surgery, patients typically spend 1-2 days in the hospital and several weeks recovering at home. During this time, they will need to follow a liquid diet and gradually introduce solid foods into their diet.

Dietary Changes

• Patient will need to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
• They will also need to avoid high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar foods and drinks.
• A daily multivitamin and other supplements may be recommended to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Candidates for Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery is typically recommended for individuals who are severely obese (BMI of 40 or higher) or those with a BMI of 35-39.9 and one or more obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Requirements

• Patient must be at least 18 years old.
• Patient must have tried other weight loss methods without success.
• Patient must be willing and able to make significant lifestyle changes, including dietary changes and regular exercise.