Gastric Sleeve
Now the number one weight loss surgery procedure, gastric sleeve surgery, offers patients the opportunity to lose rapid and substantial excess weight by eating normal food in smaller quantities and without having digestive system changes.
What does a gastric sleeve procedure involve?
Also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, the gastric sleeve procedure removes around three quarters of your stomach so that you only have a banana shaped sleeve stomach remaining. It’s usually carried out by minimally invasive surgery using a laparoscope with a camera and light source.
How does a gastric sleeve work?
A sleeve gastrectomy works by restricting the amount of food you can eat and therefore your calorie intake as it vastly reduces your stomach size.
The hunger stimulating hormone, called ghrelin, is produced in the part of your stomach that is removed during gastric sleeve surgery. So this weight loss surgery also curtails your desire for food.
Why choose a gastric sleeve procedure?
- Fast and dramatic excess weight loss.
- It can help with chronic obesity related conditions including: type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, high cholesterol and hypertension.
- Quick recovery and fairly short hospital stay (approximately two to three days).
- Reduces hunger desire as ghrelin producing cells are removed.
- Shouldn’t suffer from nutritional deficiencies related to digestive system functionality.
- Unlikely to experience ‘dumping’ syndrome.
- Often less expensive compared to gastric bypass surgery.
- Can be converted to a gastric bypass if needed.
How much weight can I lose with a gastric sleeve?
You’re likely to lose a similar amount of weight with gastric sleeve surgery compared to gastric bypass surgery in the long term. Typically, gastric sleeve patients lose around 60 to 70 percent of their excess body weight within two to three years. You must however remember that weight loss is dependent on your commitment to a new strict diet and an increasingly active lifestyle.
Things to bear in mind when considering a gastric sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery is major weight loss surgery and it cannot be reversed.
You’ll probably lose your weight more gradually than if you were to have gastric bypass surgery.
You need to be completely committed to keeping to a recommended eating plan and exercise routine.
Am I eligible for a gastric sleeve surgery?
To be eligible for gastric sleeve surgery you must:
- have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 35 plus and have a medical condition like high blood pressure and diabetes or a BMI of 40 plus
- be aged 18 or over
- be prepared to maintain a medically supervised program
- be fit enough to have anaesthesia and surgery.