Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that
permanently reduces the size of the stomach by about 85 percent.
This procedure can be safer and more effective for patients who are
extremely overweight or have health conditions such as very high
BMI, anemia, Chrohn's disease, osteoporosis, extensive prior
surgeries or other complex medical conditions that may put them at
higher risk with other weight loss surgeries.
During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the larger, rounded
part of the stomach that produces grehlin, a hormone that stimulates
hunger. The remaining stomach looks like a sleeve (or tube) and
holds about 15 percent as much food as the original stomach. Unlike
gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy leaves stomach openings intact so
that digestion occurs normally. Unlike the LAP-BAND® procedure, the
body is also free of foreign objects. However, patients may need
additional malabsorptive surgery (intestinal bypass or duodenal
switch) in order to lose all desired weight. The procedure is not
reversible.
Patients may stay in the hospital for one to three
days and can expect to resume a full recovery within two to four
weeks. On the first day following surgery, they will undergo an
upper GI to confirm that there are no complications. After this
test, they will begin drinking liquids and be discharged the
following day. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled within one
week.
Gastric sleeve benefits:
The benefits of sleeve gastrectomy far outweigh the
risks. However, it should be considered only after you have tried
unsuccessfully to lose weight on diet and exercise programs and are
not likely to be successful without surgical intervention.
The most important benefit of sleeve gastrectomy is that it allows
patients who have been unable to control their weight through a
combination of diet and exercise to achieve rapid, dramatic weight
loss. Maintaining an appropriate weight is an important part of
living in good health – avoiding heart disease, hypertension,
diabetes, and the many other medical problems associated with
obesity. Most gastric sleeve patients also enjoy dramatically
improved energy and self-esteem, as they are able to fully enjoy an
active, healthy lifestyle.
Gastric Sleeve risks:
As with any other
medical procedure, you must consider the pro and cons of surgery before making your decision.
Any surgical procedure carries certain risks including the
possibility of adverse reaction to anesthesia and medications;
bleeding, death, dehydration, diarrhea, heart attack, infection,
injury to surrounding organs, lung problems, nausea, pain, stroke, blood clots and vomiting. The Sleeve gastrectomy is not reversible. Only you
can decide if the potential rewards outweigh the risks of surgery.
Problems with stapling may include leaking
or bleeding
Risk of infection
Stomach pains after meals
from over-eating
Some foods may cause discomfort, nausea, or
vomiting after surgery.
Nutritional deficiencies during liquid diet
Reduced weight loss due to non-compliance
with post-operative dietary and exercise guidelines
The smaller portion of the stomach may
stretch
Higher
than normal risk of developing gallstones and gallbladder
disease
