The sleeve gastrectomy has been a lifeline for people who suffer from obesity and have tried all avenues to lose weight, unsuccessfully. During a gastric sleeve operation, around 60% of the stomach is removed. It then starts to look like a sleeve, or narrow tube, that can hold between two and five ounces. The procedure takes around one hour to complete, and most patients can now leave the same day, or have one overnight stay in hospital at most, presuming there are no complications. Usually, patients lose around 50% of their excess weight within just one year from having the surgery, so long as they follow the doctor’s recommendations.
The Advantages of the Gastric Sleeve
The gastric sleeve has several key advantages, including:
- People must consume far smaller portions, because their stomach simply cannot hold as much anymore. At the same, the functioning of the stomach is not changed.
- The Ghrelin is removed during the operation, which is where the hunger stimulating hormones are produced. By eliminating this, people feel less hungry and are therefore less inclined to eat as well.
- The surgery preserves the pylorus, which means people can avoid dumping syndrome, a painful condition often associated with other forms of gastric surgery.
- There is less chance of patients developing ulcers.
- There is less chance of intestinal blockages and obstructions, anemia, protein deficiencies, osteoporosis, and vitamin deficiency. These complications are very common for those who have an intestinal bypass.
- The procedure can be offered to the super obese, including those who have a BMI of over 55kg per square meter.
- The procedure has successfully been offered on those who have a lower BMI, but are still classed as obese.
- People who are anemic often cannot have an intestinal bypass due to considerable risk of bleeding. This is not an issue with the gastric sleeve, making this a very suitable option for them.
- The surgery has advanced tremendously over recent years, meaning it can now be performed laparoscopically. In fact, this is even possible on those who weigh over 500 pounds.
- Due to it using a laparoscopic procedure, there is less pain associated, as well as less scarring and complications. Recovery is also much quicker.
- There is no need for any devices to be implanted in order for the surgery to be successful.
If you are considering the gastric sleeve, you have to understand the pros and cons associated with it. Your surgeon will discuss these with you to help you determine whether to go ahead with this or not. You must also be prepared to make significant lifestyle changes if you want the surgery to be successful. This includes changing the way you eat and work out.
The gastric sleeve was originally developed and called the Magenstrasse and Mill operation. It has, however, been improve upon a lot and is the gastric sleeve we know today. The surgery has literally saved thousands of lives to date.