A Comprehensive Guide to Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most preferred surgeries among bariatric operations. You have tried numerous diets and exercise regimens over the years but still, have trouble losing weight. Because of this, are you considering having gastric sleeve surgery, a bariatric surgery?

The most common type of bariatric surgery in the world, gastric sleeve surgery, aims to reduce the size of your stomach and thus help you lose weight. Because it is performed laparoscopically, gastric sleeve surgery has a shorter recovery time than other open surgeries.

Patients who undergo gastric sleeve surgery can expect to lose up to 70% of their body weight. Before undergoing any bariatric surgery, however, you should thoroughly research the benefits of each operation as well as who may be candidates for these surgeries.

You should also know the long-term commitments required to maintain surgery results. As a result, you can learn whether gastric sleeve surgery is the best option for you by requesting a free consultation with one of our expert doctors.

Our team of specialists removes 80% of your stomach during this procedure, leaving a banana-sized pouch. Gastric sleeve surgery aims to reduce stomach size, which will help you lose weight faster by making you feel fuller faster than before. The gastric sleeve procedure takes 1 to 3 hours and requires you to stay in the hospital for at least 3 days.

Who Is Eligible for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

If you are thinking about having a gastric sleeve, you must first realize that you must alter your way of life. Unfortunately, bariatric surgery is not the only and final solution to obesity. You must adopt a new way of life and incorporate healthy long-term plans into your life, such as daily habits, nutrition, and exercise.

Following gastric sleeve surgery, you must maintain your diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are thinking about having stomach reduction surgery and meet the following criteria, you can have this procedure:

• If you have a BMI of 35 or higher,
• If you have a serious health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, or any weight-related health problem, 
• If you are determined to make lifestyle changes in order to lose weight.

What Is the Procedure for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Do you want to know how a sleeve gastrectomy is performed? First and foremost, if you are a suitable candidate for sleeve gastrectomy, our doctors will explain the procedure to you and provide you with a list of diets and needs before the operation.

You will meet your nurse and anesthesiologist at the preoperative check-up. The nurses will then prepare you for surgery. Your doctor will laparoscopically staple your stomach vertically and remove the larger, curved portion of your stomach, leaving a banana-sized pouch. The procedure usually takes between one and two hours.

After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room to recover, and once awake, our team of specialists will check your health before returning you to your room to rest. You will be released from the hospital after three days. Our doctors will review everything you need to know after you’ve been discharged.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs Gastric Bypass

The primary distinction between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery is that the former bypasses a portion of the digestive system, whereas the latter removes 80% of the stomach. Gastric sleeve surgery is far less invasive than gastric bypass surgery. Gastric sleeve surgery usually takes 60-120 minutes, whereas gastric bypass surgery takes about 2-3 hours.

The possibility of nutrient or vitamin deficiency is greatly reduced in gastric sleeve surgery. Although both operations reduce the stomach size, the duration of weight loss may differ. We recommend you consult your doctor before deciding on the best operation.

What Are the Advantages of a Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Gastric sleeve surgery is used to help you lose weight and lower your risk of weight-related health problems, such as diabetes. If you and your doctor have decided on gastric sleeve surgery, it can help reduce your risk of weight-related health problems like diabetes.

• Heart condition
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Infertility
• Reduces appetite

Recovery Process After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The recovery time following a sleeve gastrectomy is 2-4 weeks. Of course, in order for your recovery to be as quick as possible, you must follow the instructions for care and recovery that your doctor will give you after the surgery.

After a sleeve gastrectomy, you will not experience long-term pain. However, you may experience tenderness and pain around the incisions, as well as general stomach tenderness. Your doctor will prescribe the necessary pain relievers and vitamins.

Sleeve gastrectomy surgery takes about 60-120 minutes and you will need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. After the surgery, our doctors will encourage you to walk after 3-4 hours. Most patients return to their normal life after 2-4 weeks. Fatigue is common in the first 2 weeks due to low-calorie intake from a liquid diet.

You should remember that although sleeve gastrectomy is a simpler operation than other bariatric surgeries, your energy level may decrease for a while. This is because your body consumes a lot of energy and resources to heal. You may feel tired at first as your body tries to adapt to the new process, but you will feel better and more energetic as you adapt to the changes. You can even start exercising 4 weeks after surgery.

You’ll be given liquid diets for a few weeks after sleeve gastrectomy so your stomach can adjust. Then you can start eating pureed foods and, eventually, normal solid foods.

You must make significant lifestyle changes to lose and maintain weight after bariatric surgery. Our dieticians will provide nutritional advice on how to change your eating habits.

What Are the Results of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

In the first 12 to 18 months, you can lose up to 60% of your excess weight. Of course, this weight loss is not only due to gastric sleeve surgery; exercise and a healthy diet also help. People who undergo gastric sleeve surgery typically lose 60-70% of their excess weight.

We hope we were able to pique your interest in gastric bypass surgery. If you have any questions about gastric bypass surgery, please do not hesitate to contact us! At Esvita Clinic, we strive to give our patients the best support possible and to help them get the most out of our services!