Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Losing a significant amount of weight quickly — without exercising or dieting — is no longer just a dream! This goal is now achievable through a surgical procedure known as gastric sleeve surgery, which has gained widespread popularity over the past decade and is now one of the most common forms of bariatric surgery worldwide.

The gastric sleeve procedure works by removing a large portion of the stomach, thereby limiting the amount of food your body can take in. It’s a restrictive procedure, meaning it limits intake but does not affect nutrient absorption.

Demand for gastric sleeve surgery has steadily increased, in large part due to its growing adoption among influencers and celebrities seeking an effective solution for obesity.

Gastric sleeve surgery helps you feel full quickly after eating only a small amount of food, leading to weight loss in both the short and long term.

Here are more benefits of this surgery:

• Losing approximately 60-70% of excess weight within one year after surgery.
• Improving your quality of life by resolving obesity-related issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Increasing your stomach’s motility and speeding up food passage.
• Fast and smooth recovery.
• Reducing feelings of hunger or appetite after the procedure.

To achieve the best possible results and avoid unwanted complications, it’s essential to find a skilled surgeon experienced in gastric sleeve surgery.

The preparation process typically includes the following steps:

– Your doctor will request laboratory tests and screenings to determine whether gastric sleeve surgery is right for you.

– You may need to stop taking certain medications and supplements in the weeks leading up to surgery.

– Your doctor may recommend changing your eating habits and encourage you to lose some weight before surgery.

– You should stop smoking for at least one month before the procedure.

– No eating or drinking is allowed the night before surgery, as per your doctor’s instructions.

Gastric sleeve surgery typically takes between 40 and 70 minutes to complete. Surgeons usually use a laparoscopic technique, which involves making several small incisions in the abdomen to insert a thin tube with a camera and light.

The main steps of gastric sleeve surgery include:

1. Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. A ventilator may be used to support breathing during surgery.

2. Incisions and partial stomach removal: The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts and removes about 80% of the outer portion.

3. Stomach suturing: The remaining 20% is stitched together to form a sleeve-shaped (banana-like) stomach.

4. Closing the incisions: Once complete, the incisions are closed and the patient is moved to the recovery room.

You’ll typically be able to return home after just 1–2 nights in the hospital, and you may begin walking within 3–4 hours post-op.

Recovery may also involve the following:

– Your surgeon will prescribe painkillers and sedatives after the procedure.

– You can return to work within 2–4 weeks, though you may feel fatigued due to reduced calorie intake during the first two weeks.

– A dietitian will provide a custom diet plan. You’ll start with soft and liquid meals and gradually transition to solid foods over time.

– Your portions will be significantly smaller, and you may be advised to avoid drinking fluids with meals.

– Always chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.

– Avoid high-calorie drinks and snacks.

– You can resume physical activity about 4 weeks after the surgery.

– Your doctor may recommend lifelong use of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a relatively safe procedure but still carries some potential risks and side effects, such as:

• Bleeding from the surgical site.
• Blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.
• Gastric leakage.
• Stomach narrowing or obstruction.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Heartburn or acid reflux.
• Vitamin or nutrient deficiencies.
• Excess skin sagging on the body.