Gastric Sleeve

What Qualifies You For The Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

A sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve surgery may not be suitable for extremely overweight individuals as the surgery itself can be life-threatening. In some cases, it’s best to wait and lose some weight under physician supervision and with the help of a well-planned diet and exercise program before undergoing surgery.

How Long Should You Stay in The Hospital After The Surgery? 

The patient is required to stay 4 nights in the hospital.

What You Should Avoid Before The Surgery? 

The patient should stop using blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E at least 2 weeks before the gastric sleeve surgery. At least 3 weeks before the surgery, the patient should stop smoking as it can interfere with the anesthesia and then the recovery period.

How is Gastric Sleeve Procedure Performed? 

The patient is administered general anesthesia, and the surgeon may begin to work on removing part of the stomach and the fundus. Since gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic procedure, around 6 incisions are created around the abdomen area.

During gastric sleeve surgery, the surgeon removes most of the stomach. The remaining part of the stomach is joined together using surgical staples. A long tube or banana-shaped stomach has been created when this process completes and the small cuts(incisions) used are stitched closed. The entire surgery takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete. 

At the end of the operation, around 25% of the stomach will remain and function as normal, still connected to the small intestine and the esophagus.

The Recovery Timeline 

Patients who decide on gastric sleeves abroad, spend around 4 days in the hospital after the surgery and the whole recovery period lasts about 4 weeks, after which they can safely return to work and their daily activities. Patients need to follow a special sleeve gastrectomy diet during the recovery period, effectively avoiding solid food for a few weeks.

In this way, the recovery will be more comfortable and the adaptation of the "new" stomach to the body and the systems can be achieved more smoothly.

Gastric Sleeve Operation Complications  

Gastric sleeve side effects can include: 

• Nausea from the anesthesia 
• Aversion to foods 
• Vomiting
• Constipation

The Gastric Sleeve Success Rate

Gastric sleeve has a 99% success rate according to patients’ reviews of their surgery results. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery can help patients live a healthy life and improve eating habits according to the gastric sleeve reviews

What To Expect After Gastric Sleeve Treatment?

The amount of weight the patient loses after gastric sleeve surgery or sleeve gastrectomy depends on the patient’s determination to follow the doctor’s post-op instructions. A proper diet needs to be followed regularly and kept following consistently. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are the Other Benefits Of A Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Gastric sleeve surgery can help patients suffering from 

• Diabetes 
• High blood pressure 
• High levels of fat in the blood
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• And any other conditions patients suffer due to excess weight.

Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass – What Is the Difference? 

In gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided into two parts and the smaller stomach gets connected to the small intestine. The procedure can be performed laparoscopically, and it is the preferred choice among doctors and patients.

Which Foods Should I Avoid in My Sleeve Gastrectomy Diet?

Patients should avoid the following foods and drinks during their post-op diet: 

• Sodas 
• Honey
• Sugary foods
• Alcohol 
• Ice cream
• Any fried foods