Weight Loss Using Gastric Sleeve Surgery

By Estelle Larsen


A lot of health problems in terms of weight can be solved in a few ways through surgery. Overweight and obesity can be surgically treated that is different from cosmetic procedure. There are two known types which are Restrictive and Malabsorptive Surgeries. Restrictive type takes away a portion of the stomach so it can hold lesser amount of food for quicker digestion. Malabsorptive type tends to create a bypass within the digestive tract, either the stomach or gastric tract, so it would not take in calories.

Because of complications, the Malabsorptive type is no longer done as stand alone. The likely price for a gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico can start at forty six hundred dollars. In the US it would range from fifteen thousand dollars to about twenty five thousand. This procedure can be stand alone.

The full term is Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy which is a restrictive surgery. It cuts away up to eighty four percent of the stomach leaving a small sleeve or tube as the remaining part of the stomach. Previously the stomach would hold about three pints of food, but afterwards it will only be able to take in a few ounces but would gradually increase.

Several small incisions are made on the abdomen. This is called an open procedure and small instruments as well as a camera is slid inside the cuts. It is a laparoscopic procedure since a camera is used as visual guide for the duration of the operation.

This is a huge approach to weight loss in terms of overweight and obesity where medicine, diet, and exercise are no longer effective. This type of surgery is a modification from a different bariatric procedure which is the duodenal switch and then later included as a part of the gastric bypass procedure. Doing the bypass surgery alone was too much of a risk, hence the two steps procedure.

This takes about one and a half hours. The patient needs to stay in for two to three nights for recovery. The healing process is surprisingly fast and most patients are able to go back to their normal activities after three weeks.

Of course, since this is very risky, there are some complications that might happen if not well monitored. Sleeve leaking, infection, blood clots, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, and stomach pains due to esophageal spasms. There is also a possibility where food goes down too fast towards the small intestine that it causes diarrhea for the patient, or also known as the dumping syndrome.

You will be guided by your doctor for a few months in terms of recovery and diet. During the first month, your stomach can only handle liquids and soft food for the healing process. It is essential to be constantly hydrated for the entire day. Bowel movements tend to become less often as well but this is normal after the surgery. Also, make sure to avoid constipation.

The recorded success rate on the weight loss of most patients is about sixty six percent. That is more than half of their initial weight compared to the loss of other procedures which goes from forty one to sixty two percent. It is important to follow the instructions of the doctor as well to maintain safety of recovery. A realistic approach and added methods for weight loss would definitely help as well.




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