Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is one of the safest and rapid weight loss procedures for higher risk obese patients. It is relatively a new approach for those with a body mass index over 50 and is ideal for patients with anemia and other medical complications.

Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is the process of reducing the size of the patient’s stomach permanently. It helps you lose weight by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time.

The amount of weight loss after a sleeve gastrectomy is dependent upon the size of the sleeve created. In general, a person may expect to lose between 30 to 35% of their initial body weight or roughly 40 pounds in a year.

Procedure

This procedure is performed laparoscopically and under a general anesthetic. Your surgeon will make 4 to 5 small incisions in the abdomen. He then inserts a series of instruments along with a camera. This camera is able to relay what it focuses onto a large video screen outside. This screen enables the surgeon to have a closer view and also useful for the placement of the instruments and stapling of the stomach. The stomach is restricted by stapling and dividing it vertically and removing more than 85%.

The remaining stomach is shaped like a very small banana and measures from 1-5 ounces depending on the patient.

No interference with small intestine and no changes to the normal digestive function of the stomach. You have a much smaller stomach, for which patients feel full after eating very small amounts of food.

Along with the large portion of the stomach, your hunger hormone ‘ghrelin’ is also removed. This hormone is responsible for stimulating your appetite that means no hunger experience any more.

After surgery

You will only be allowed to drink water in the first 24 hours after surgery. This will make sure that there are no problems with you consuming liquids or fluids. Following that, you will go on a liquid diet for next few days, then this will be followed by semi-solids and then solid foods gradually.

Unlike other forms of bariatric surgery, the outlet valve and the nerves to the stomach remain intact. The stomach continues to function normally and so there are fewer restrictions on the foods after surgery. However, it is the responsibility of the patient to reduce the quantity of food to be eaten.

Benefits

Not only is it a one-time procedure, one of the greatest advantages of this surgery, which includes removal of the part of the stomach and elimination of hunger stimulation hormones from your body.

You will experience dramatic weight loss in the first twelve months after surgery. Again, it will reduce your risks of developing co-morbidity such as heart disease, stroke or lever disease and diabetics. Other important benefits include improved confidence level, healthy lifestyle and a more positive outlook on life. It is also considered much safer.

Disadvantages

Though the risks are known to be much lower than other forms of bariatric surgery, one of the major disadvantages of this kind of surgery is that it is not reversible. Some higher BMI patients may need to have a second stage procedure later to help lose the rest of their body weight.And like any surgical operation, sleeve gastrectomy also has possible complications like leakage, bleeding etc.

Alma Orozco