Understanding Sleeve Gastrectomy

Gastric reduction surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical weight loss procedure. This surgery is usually performed laparoscopically, requiring the insertion of miniature instruments through multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen. During sleeve gastrectomy, about 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a banana-shaped tube stomach. Limiting the size of the stomach limits the amount of food that can be ingested. In addition, the surgery also promotes hormonal changes that help with weight loss. These hormonal changes also help alleviate weight-related diseases such as hypertension or heart disease.

The purpose of sleeve gastrectomy is to help lose excess weight and reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and infertility. Sleeve gastrectomy is usually only performed after you have tried to lose weight by improving your diet and exercise habits.

The specific surgery depends onpatient's personal situation and the practices of the hospital or doctor. Some sleeve gastrectomies are performed through traditional large (open) abdominal incisions. However, sleeve gastrectomy is usually performed laparoscopically, requiring the insertion of small instruments through multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen. The patient will receive general anesthesia before surgery begins. Anesthesia is a medication that keeps you asleep and comfortable during surgery. During sleeve gastrectomy, the doctor creates a narrow gastric sleeve by vertically suturing the stomach and removing the larger curved part of the stomach. The surgery usually takes one to two hours.

After sleeve gastrectomy, the patient's diet should be sugar-free non-carbonated liquids for the first 7 days, gradually transitioning to pureed foods over the next three weeks, gradually transitioning to regular foods about four weeks after surgery. You will need to take a multivitamin twice daily for life, supplement calcium once daily and inject vitamin B-12 once monthly.

Sleeve gastrectomy can help with long-term weight loss. The amount of weight loss depends on changes in one's lifestyle. It may help to lose more than 60% of one's excess weight within two years or even more.