Gastric Sleeve Surgery | Everything You Need to Know Before You Decide

Struggling with excess weight and looking for a solution? Gastric sleeve surgery is your solution?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss surgery that helps to reduce excess weight and reduce the risk of weight-related problems.

In this article, you will learn detailed information about gastric sleeve surgery, like its risks, surgical procedure, recovery time, and much more so read it carefully.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is one type of weight loss surgery known as sleeve gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Additionally, surgery restricts your food intake which leads to weight loss and you will lose weight from 50 to 90 pounds, however, the result varies for each person.

However, this surgery is known as laparoscopic surgery which involves small incisions in the upper belly where most of the left part of the stomach is removed and the rest of the stomach is formed into a narrow tube called a sleeve. 

Why is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Done?

Sleeve gastrectomy is performed to help patients with excess weight and reduce the risk of possibly life-threatening weight-related problems which include:

• Type 2 diabetes.
• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• Stroke.
• Cancer.
• Infertility.

However, it is often performed after you’ve tried to lose weight by doing exercises and dieting. Yet, it could be an option for you if you have:

• Body mass index is 40 or higher.
• Body mass index is 35 to 39.5 and you have severe weight-related health issues.

Apart from that, you also must be willing to make permanent changes to get a healthier lifestyle and you might be recommended to participate in long-term follow-up plans like monitoring nutrition, lifestyle, behavior, and other medical conditions.

What Qualifies You for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Here are some general requirements to qualify for the surgery which include:

• If you have severe obesity and your BMI is 40 or higher.
• If you have tried to lose weight but not succeed. 
• You need to be physically and mentally fit for the surgery and before surgery, you will meet a team with dietitians, psychologists, and other medical specialists for counseling and screening.

Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Safe for Everyone?

The risk of gastric sleeve is far less than the risk of having obesity and its related issues. However, it has fewer complications compared to other procedures. Yet, most gastric sleeve [procedures are performed by minimally invasive surgical techniques which means less pain from incisions and provides faster recovery.

Pre-Surgery Medical Evaluations and Tests

How is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Performed?

Before Surgery

• Before surgery, you will get a list of instructions about what you should do and what not which include activities, food, supplements, and so on.
• You will be asked not to eat or drink anything before 12 hours of your surgery.

During Surgery

• When the surgery starts, your surgeon will give you general anesthesia so that you’ll be asleep during the procedure.
• Then, the surgeon will make a small cut in your abdomen and insert a port after this, they’ll pump carbon dioxide gas through the port to expland your abdomen.
• After this, they’ll place a small lighted video camera called laparoscopy through a port and the camera will project your insides onto a screen.
• Through one to three incisions, your surgeon will insert some additional ports and then complete the procedure by using long and narrow tools.
• After this, the surgeon will measure out the gastric sleeve and then separate the remainder of your stomach by using a surgical stapler.
• Last, the surgeon will remove the remainder of the stomach and close the incision.

After Surgery

• Surgery might take 1 to 2 hours to complete and after this, you will be moved to the recovery area where the healthcare team will help you to manage your pain and any temporary side effects.
• Additionally, you’ll have frequent check-ups with your healthcare provider in the following weeks and months.
• They’ll monitor your condition and give you a diet plan and instructions to follow after surgery.

Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery a Major Surgery?

Yes, it’s a major surgery that helps to remove 80% of the stomach, and it's one of the most common forms of bariatric surgery in the U.S. However, people undergoing the surgery need to enroll in a program that includes counseling, weight loss, and nutritional education which helps them to get ready for the surgery.

Short-Term Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Like any other surgery gastric sleeve surgery also has some complications which include:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Reactions to anesthesia.
• Leaking from the staple line.

After recovering from surgery, some people develop long-term complications from the surgery. However, these complications are usually easy to treat when they occur which include:

• Scar tissue can occur after the surgery which can cause your stomach to be narrow and slow or block food from moving through your stomach which may cause nausea, vomiting, and eating problems.
• Nutritional deficiencies due to less eating, yet doctors prescribe nutritional supplements for life.
• Gallstones and gastroesophageal reflux

What are the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery?

Sleeve gastrectomy has a lower risk of complications as compared to gastric bypass and other types of bariatric surgery. However, losing weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery can help you with:

• You will have control of type 2 diabetes
• You will experience lower blood pressure
• It improves your heart health
• It also improves your quality of life

What If Gastric Sleeve Surgery Doesn’t Work?

Well, it is not common, so many people regain weight which means, you have to go back to old habits and your stomach may stretch out again over time when it happens you will be recommended for gastric sleeve revision surgery. Additionally, your surgeon may repair the original gastric sleeve or convert it to another weight loss surgery with stronger results like gastric bypass or duodenal switch.

How Long Does It Take to Recover?

Gastric sleeve surgery might take about 3 weeks to recover properly however, you will be recommended to start with a liquid diet and gradually with time, you will be able to start solid food.

Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery

Both are weight loss surgeries that reduce your stomach from its regular size to a small pouch. However, this causes weight loss in two different ways which include:

Gastric sleeve surgery

Under this surgery, the surgeon permanently removes 80% of your stomach and what remains is sewn into a small banana-shaped stomach pouch, apart from that, surgeons make no changes. 

Gastric bypass surgery

Under this surgery, a surgeon creates a small stomach pouch by removing most of your stomach at the first part of your small intestine and reconnecting the newly created stomach pouch to the remaining small intestine.

How much weight will I lose after the Gastric Sleeve?

Well, on average you can lose about 60-70% of your excess weight. Here are some weekly changes that you might experience include:

• First 2 weeks, you may reduce 10-20 pounds.
• For the first 3 months, you’ll lose 35-45% of excess weight.
• In the first year, 60-70% of excess weight you will lose.

What Kind of Diet Will You Have to Follow?

Right after surgery, you will get a diet plan for what to eat and what not for approximately two to three months. At first, you’ll be on a liquid diet and then gradually return to eating regular foods by transitioning to pureed foods, soft foods, and then solid foods at about eight weeks.

Liquid foods

• Broth
• Decaffeinated tea or coffee
• Milk 
• Sugar-free gelatin or popsicles
• Unsweetened juice

Pureed foods

After a week of consuming liquids, you will be able to begin eating pureed foods which include:

• Cooked cereal
• Lean meats
• Fish
• Cooked vegetables

Additionally, you can also blend vegetables with water, skim milk, unsweetened juice, or broth.

Soft foods

With the guidance of your doctor, you can begin eating soft foods like rice and soft fruits and vegetables after a few weeks of eating pureed foods.

Solid foods

After eight weeks of surgery, you will be recommended to begin eating solid foods but try one new food at a time.

However, you need to be careful with carbonated drinks, popcorn, raw vegetables, and fibroid meats which may cause you pain, nausea, or vomiting.

General Dietary Guidelines for Post-Surgery Success

At every stage of your surgery diet plan you’ll have to follow the given guidelines:

• Eat lean, protein-rich foods daily like lean beef, chicken, fish, and beans.
• Take proper medications like vitamins and mineral supplements.
• Take small bites while you eat.
• Divide your food intake into four to six meals.
• Chew well 
• End your meal when you’re comfortably full.
• Limit calorie-dense foods and beverages. 
• Reduce sugar intake
• Reduce carbonated beverages
• Separate timing of consuming liquids by drinking 15 mins before and 30 mins after meals.

FAQs

What is the success rate of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The success rate of gastric sleeve surgery is 98% in India.

What is the recovery time for gastric sleeve surgery in India?

The recovery time for gastric sleeve surgery is 3 weeks in India.

Is gastric sleeve the same as stomach sleeve surgery?

Yes, both are the same and it is also known as sleeve gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

What are the complications after gastric sleeve surgery?

There are some short-term complications which include bleeding, infection, and blood clots and long-term side effects include gastrointestinal blockage, hernias, malnutrition, and gallstones.

How much weight can you lose with gastric sleeve surgery?

You can lose about 60 to 70% of your weight after surgery.

What is the legal procedure for gastric sleeve surgery in India?

First, you need to consult with your doctor and undergo some tests that help the doctor to understand your condition and if you’re qualified for the surgery the healthcare team will start preparation.