Gastric sleeve surgery is a common surgery that removes part of the stomach. It is often very effective for weight loss. The surgery limits the amount of food your stomach can normally hold. This can help you eat less and feel full faster.
Explore how it is done, what the benefits are, recovery time, and more
Gastric Sleeve Procedure
In gastric sleeve surgery, the bariatric surgeon makes six small incisions to allow a small endoscope with a video camera and the instruments needed to perform the procedure to be inserted.
The surgeon then staples the stomach, divides it into two parts, and removes about 85 percent of it. The remaining stomach is curved and tubular, shaped like a banana.
It’s important to note that the portion of the stomach that is removed is responsible for secreting ghrelin, the hormone that causes hunger. As a result, patients feel less hungry after the procedure.
What qualifies you for gastric sleeve?
If you are considering a gastric sleeve procedure, you must meet certain criteria before you can be considered for a screening evaluation. These criteria are based on global standards set by the National Institutes of Health and include:
Body weight greater than 100 pounds or 45 kilograms above ideal weight.
Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 or BMI greater than 35 with obesity-related medical complications, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and gallbladder disease.
No indication of active alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychiatric disorder.
Benefits of gastric sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most popular weight loss surgeries, due to its many benefits. Let’s take a look at all the benefits of gastric sleeve in more detail.
Speed of Effect
Gastric sleeve surgery starts working immediately because it makes you feel full faster and reduces your appetite. This allows only small amounts of food to pass through, resulting in weight loss.
Long-term Results
The long-term results of weight loss surgery depend on the person’s lifestyle choices. People who undergo gastric sleeve surgery continue to experience long-term results for up to 10 years after surgery.
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Less Invasive
It is performed laparoscopically by inserting a thin tube with a camera through small incisions. It does not require a large incision, making recovery much faster and less painful, with a lower risk of complications.
Less Appetite
The sleeve not only makes you feel full faster, it also affects the production of the gut hormone “ghrelin” which contributes to hunger.
Reduce the severity of weight-related conditions
Gastric sleeve surgery has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of many weight-related conditions and some conditions not related to obesity. Including some diseases like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Increased self-confidence
Participants in a recent study reported increased self-esteem and self-confidence after weight-loss surgery and said it gave them the confidence to go out and try new things.
Is gastric sleeve reversible?
No, but the gastric sleeve procedure can be modified to an alternative restrictive gastric procedure if weight loss is insufficient or if weight is regained.
Recovery time for a gastric sleeve
It may take 4 to 6 weeks to resume normal activities after weight loss surgery. However, even after a person has physically recovered from surgery, they will need to adhere to certain practices to recover.
A doctor or dietitian will recommend long-term dietary and lifestyle changes to maintain healthy weight loss. Their recommendations may include:
Gastric sleeve diet: People should drink plenty of water, follow guidelines about when to return to solid foods, and eat small portions. They should also avoid foods high in starch and sugar and choose foods high in protein to prevent weakness and muscle loss.
Vitamins: It will be necessary to compensate vitamin supplements for life. These include vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, and iron.
Exercise: Your doctor will recommend that you get about 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. This can help you recover faster and maintain weight loss.
Smoking and alcohol: Medical professionals advise that people continue to avoid smoking after surgery. They will also likely recommend avoiding alcohol after surgery, as this can have serious consequences.
Pregnancy: People should avoid pregnancy for 12 to 18 months after weight loss surgery.
Stomach after gastric sleeve surgery
It is completely normal for your stomach to expand a little after surgery. Our stomach naturally expands while we eat, and this will not change after gastric sleeve surgery. After digestion, the stomach contracts to its original shape and size. The problem may come if we eat too much food.
Gastric sleeve men
The good news is that weight loss surgery for men has proven to be highly effective in helping obese men achieve a healthy body weight, thereby restoring normal testosterone levels and eliminating the occurrence of erectile dysfunction.
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