What is gastric sleeve surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight-loss procedure in which a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, tube-like section of the stomach. This significantly reduces the amount of food you can eat and helps you feel full more quickly. The procedure is one of the most common types of bariatric (weight-loss) surgeries and is typically performed on individuals who are obese and have struggled with weight loss through diet and exercise.

How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Works:

Procedure: During the surgery, about 75-80% of the stomach is removed, creating a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach (about the size of a banana).

Mechanism:

Restriction: By reducing the size of the stomach, the amount of food that can be eaten at one time is limited.

Hormonal Changes: The surgery also affects gut hormones that play a role in hunger, satiety, and blood sugar regulation, leading to reduced appetite and possibly improved insulin sensitivity.

Who Is It For?

Gastric sleeve surgery is usually recommended for people who are:

Severely obese (BMI of 40 or higher), or have a BMI of 35-39.9 with obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.

Unable to lose weight or maintain weight loss through traditional methods like diet and exercise.

Willing to commit to lifelong lifestyle changes, including diet modifications, exercise, and regular medical follow-ups.

Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:

Significant Weight Loss: Patients typically lose 50-60% of their excess weight within the first 18-24 months post-surgery.

Improvement in Obesity-Related Conditions: Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol often improve significantly or even resolve after surgery.

Reduced Hunger: The removal of part of the stomach reduces the production of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger, leading to a decrease in appetite.

Shorter Recovery: Compared to other bariatric surgeries, like gastric bypass, the recovery period for sleeve gastrectomy is typically shorter and less complex.

Risks and Potential Complications:

While gastric sleeve surgery is generally safe, as with any surgery, it carries risks. Some of the possible risks and complications include:

Infection: Any surgery comes with the risk of infection at the incision sites.

Bleeding: There may be a risk of internal bleeding, particularly at the staple line.

Stomach Leak: A rare but serious complication is a leak from the staple line in the stomach.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Some patients may experience new or worsening acid reflux after surgery.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Because the size of the stomach is significantly reduced, some individuals may have trouble absorbing enough nutrients, leading to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and vitamin B12.

Recovery and Post-Operative Care:

Hospital Stay: The surgery is typically performed laparoscopically (using small incisions and a camera), and most patients stay in the hospital for 1-2 days.

Dietary Changes: After surgery, patients must follow a strict diet, starting with liquids and gradually progressing to pureed foods, soft foods, and eventually regular foods. It’s important to eat small portions and chew thoroughly.

Lifestyle Changes:

Exercise: Regular physical activity is necessary for long-term success.

Nutritional Supplements: Patients may need to take vitamins and minerals to prevent deficiencies, especially calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Follow-up: Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon and a nutritionist are necessary to monitor progress, adjust diet plans, and address any issues.

Long-Term Outlook:

Weight Loss Maintenance: Many patients are able to maintain significant weight loss in the long term with proper diet, exercise, and follow-up care.

Quality of Life: Most patients report an improvement in quality of life, including increased mobility, reduced joint pain, and improved mental health.

Gastric sleeve surgery is considered a life-changing procedure for people struggling with severe obesity. However, it requires a lifelong commitment to dietary changes and healthy habits to ensure long-term success and weight maintenance.