One common bariatric technique that helps people with severe obesity is gastric sleeve surgery, which is also called sleeve gastrectomy. The operation changes the hormonal signals that control appetite and fullness by removing a large section of the stomach, which prevents the patient from eating as much.

People who want to lose a lot of weight and address their health problems caused by obesity are opting for this operation more and more. The gastric sleeve procedure is going to be discussed in this article along with its advantages, disadvantages, and the necessary lifestyle adjustments for a successful outcome in the long run.

Gastric sleeve surgery: what is it?

In gastric sleeve surgery, approximately 80% of the stomach is surgically removed. The leftover stomach is transformed into a short, banana-shaped tube called a “sleeve.” The calorie consumption is drastically reduced due to the smaller stomach’s ability to hold less food. Another side effect of the procedure is a reduction in hunger due to changes in hormones.

The gastric sleeve is a bariatric treatment that does not require the rerouting of the intestines, unlike gastric bypass. This results in a less complicated process with fewer issues associated with nutrient absorption, all while providing significant advantages for weight loss.

How Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Performed?

Gastric sleeve surgery works by putting restrictions on food intake. Patients report feeling full on lesser portions of food following gastric bypass surgery.

1. Stomach Reduction: This procedure limits the amount of food that may be consumed at once by surgically reducing the size of the stomach. A low-calorie diet can be more easily maintained when patients experience satiety more rapidly.
2. Chronic Changes: Hormonal changes occur because a lot of the stomach’s producing tissue is removed when a substantial piece of the stomach is removed. An important component of successful weight loss is a decrease in hunger and an improvement in desire control.
3. Gastric sleeve surgery:Does not impact nutrient absorption in the intestines, unlike gastric bypass and other weight loss operations. Patients are less prone to suffer from malnutrition as a result of this.

The Gastric Sleeve Procedure: Is It Right for Me?

If extreme obesity persists despite attempts at self-management with food, exercise, and medication, gastric sleeve surgery may be the next best option. Here are some of the usual requirements for candidates:

• Obesity is considered severe when the body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher.
• A body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 39.9, together with co-occurring diseases such type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.
• Despite consistent attempts, established weight loss procedures have been ineffective.
• Dedication to modifying one’s way of life Prospective patients are expected to adhere to a strict exercise and dietary programme following surgery, as well as to maintain consistent medical follow-up sessions.

The Process of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Because it is usually done laparoscopically, gastric sleeve surgery is considered minimally invasive. To remove the stomach with this method, tiny incisions are made in the belly and specialised devices are used. As for the procedure itself, here is what you may anticipate:

1. Laparoscopic Technique: The surgeon makes tiny incisions in the belly and uses a tiny camera and equipment called a laparoscope to access the stomach.
2. Removal of the stomach: which involves cutting off around 80% of the stomach and creating a small tube. Surgical staples are used to close the leftover stomach.
3. Closure: After the surgery is finished, the tiny cuts are stitched or surgically glued shut.

It usually takes about an hour or two to complete the full surgery, and patients usually need to stay in the hospital for a day or two to be monitored and recover.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery Advantages

People who are extremely obese can benefit greatly from gastric sleeve surgery. It aids in weight loss and improves or eliminates numerous health problems associated with obesity. Here are a few main advantages:

1. Significant Weight Loss: 60% to 70% of the excess weight is lost by most patients within the first 12 to 18 months after surgery. Joint pain, limited mobility, and low energy can all be alleviated with this weight loss.
2. Improvement in Health Conditions: Gastric sleeve surgery can alleviate or eliminate several health issues associated with obesity, such as:

For patients with type 2 diabetes, improved blood sugar control—and even remission—is a common result.

• High blood pressure:In the case of hypertension, or high blood pressure, lowering the weight usually results in a decrease in blood pressure, which in turn lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Sleep apnea: Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea may find that their CPAP machine needs are reduced or eliminated when they lose weight.

3. Improved Quality of Life: Following surgery, many patients report feeling better emotionally, having more energy, and being able to handle everyday tasks with ease.
4. No Intestinal Bypass: Gastric sleeve patients do not run the danger of malabsorption or “dumping syndrome,” a disease where food travels too quickly into the small intestine, because the intestines are not altered in gastric sleeve surgery.

Potential Dangers and Difficulties

Even though gastric sleeve surgery has a low risk of complications, it is nevertheless a big operation. This is a list of some of the most typical:

1. Infection: The possibility of infection at the sites of incisions is inherent to any surgical procedure.
2. Bleeding or Leakage: The staples used to shut the stomach have a slight risk of leaking, which could lead to major complications. Though uncommon, this needs prompt medical intervention.
3. Gastrosophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Post-operative pain and heartburn can be caused by GERD, which some patients may already have or develop.
4. Despite not bypassing the intestines:nutrient deficits such as B12, iron, and calcium deficiency may still occur due to the decreased stomach size. Many people need to take supplements for the long haul.

Conclusion

People with extreme obesity have reason to hope because gastric sleeve surgery is a very efficient weight loss technique. Significant and long-lasting weight loss is possible with this operation, which improves health and quality of life by decreasing the size of the stomach and influencing hunger hormones.

On the other hand, if you want your surgery to last, you’ll need to make some serious modifications to your food and way of life. Although gastric sleeve surgery is not without its risks, for many people the advantages much exceed the risks, making it a potentially life-altering alternative.