What Happens Before →

Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Preparing for gastric sleeve surgery involves a series of steps designed to ensure your safety and maximize the procedure’s effectiveness. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Health Screening
   Initially, you’ll undergo a comprehensive health evaluation. This helps determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the surgery and involves various tests to assess your overall health and readiness.
2. Two-Week Liquid Diet
   Once approved, you’ll embark on a two-week liquid diet. This diet is crucial for shrinking fat deposits in your abdomen and liver, which makes the surgical process safer and more manageable for the medical team.
3. Pre-Surgery Fasting
   As the surgery date approaches, you’ll be instructed to abstain from eating or drinking for at least 12 hours prior to the procedure. This ensures your stomach is completely empty, which helps prevent any complications, such as adverse reactions during surgery.

These preparatory steps are essential in minimizing risk and enhancing the likelihood of a successful outcome. Your medical team will be there to guide you through each phase, so keep their guidelines close at hand and follow them meticulously.

Is the →

GASTRIC SLEEVE SAFE?

When considering gastric sleeve surgery, safety is often a top concern. Generally, this procedure is considered safe, especially compared to the health risks of obesity and its associated conditions.

Lower Risk Levels

Gastric sleeve surgery typically presents fewer risks than many routine surgeries, such as gallbladder removal and hip replacement. This is largely due to its minimally invasive nature, which usually involves laparoscopic techniques. As a result, patients experience less post-operative pain and benefit from quicker recovery times.

Minimally Invasive Advantages

The minimally invasive approach also reduces the likelihood of complications. Smaller incisions mean a lower chance of infection and reduced scarring, making it a preferred option for those seeking bariatric surgery.

Comparative Safety

It’s important to remember that while all surgeries carry some level of risk, the risks associated with the gastric sleeve are generally lower than the long-term health dangers posed by untreated obesity. As always, discussing potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare provider is crucial for making an informed decision.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY INVOLVE?

Sleeve gastrectomy transforms the stomach into a tube-like structure by removing a large portion, significantly reducing its volume. This alteration limits food intake and helps decrease appetite, aiding in weight loss.

Here’s a more detailed look at the process:

1. Preparation and Anesthesia: Your surgeon will administer general anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortably asleep throughout the procedure.
2. Initial Incision and Expansion: A small incision, about half an inch long, is made in the abdomen. Through this opening, a port is inserted, and carbon dioxide gas is used to expand the abdomen for better visibility and access.
3. Visualization with Laparoscope: A small lighted video camera, known as a laparoscope, is introduced through the port. This device projects real-time images of your internal organs onto a screen, guiding the surgeon.
4. Additional Ports and Tools: One to three more incisions are made to insert additional ports. These allow the use of long, narrow surgical tools necessary for the procedure.
5. Reshaping the Stomach: The surgeon measures and sections off the gastric sleeve using a surgical stapler, effectively transforming your stomach into a smaller, sleeve-like shape.
6. Completion and Closure: The excess portion of the stomach is removed, and the incisions are carefully closed, completing the surgery.

By understanding these steps, you gain a clearer picture of how sleeve gastrectomy facilitates weight loss by physically altering your stomach’s capacity and reducing hunger signals.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THIS PROCEDURE?

This procedure is ideal for individuals who are significantly overweight, especially those with a BMI over 40 or a BMI over 35 with obesity-related health issues.

What are the INSURANCE AND SELF-PAY OPTIONS?

While many insurance plans cover sleeve gastrectomy, coverage can vary. Many surgical centers offer self-pay options and financing plans for those without insurance or whose plans do not cover the procedure.

WILL MY STOMACH RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL SIZE POST-SURGERY?

The stomach can stretch slightly over time but cannot return to its original size. Maintaining healthy eating habits is crucial to prevent significant expansion.

CAN THE PROCEDURE BE REVERSED?

Since the surgeon removes a portion of the stomach, the procedure is irreversible, underscoring the importance of careful consideration and commitment to lifestyle changes.

HOW QUICKLY WILL I LOSE WEIGHT AFTER THE SURGERY?

Weight loss varies, but many patients lose as much as 50-60% of their excess weight within the first two years, depending on adherence to dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

CAN I BECOME PREGNANT AFTER UNDERGOING SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY?

Pregnancy is possible post-surgery, but it’s advisable to wait at least 18 months to ensure the body has stabilized and satisfies the mother and baby’s nutritional needs.

HOW WILL THIS SURGERY AFFECT MY EATING HABITS?

Post-surgery, you’ll feel satiated with significantly smaller portions, which encourages healthier eating habits and contributes to weight loss.