Sleeve Gastrectomy

Introduction

Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical weight-loss treatment that includes removing approximately 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a tube-shaped stomach the size and shape of a banana. Sleeve gastrectomy is also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. This treatment is usually done laparoscopically, which entails inserting small instruments through several small slits in the upper region of the belly. Limiting the size of your stomach reduces the amount of food you can consume. In addition, the surgery causes hormonal changes that aid in weight loss. These same hormonal changes help to alleviate diseases connected with being overweight, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Why it's been done

Sleeve gastrectomy is performed to help you lose extra weight and lower your risk of potentially fatal weight-related health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, and infertility. Sleeve gastrectomy is often performed only after you have attempted to lose weight through better diet and exercise practices.

In general, sleeve gastrectomy surgery could be an option for you if:

• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity).

• Your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea. In some cases, you may qualify for certain types of weight-loss surgery if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related health problems.

You also must be willing to make permanent changes to lead a healthier lifestyle. You may be required to participate in long-term follow-up plans that include monitoring your nutrition, your lifestyle and behavior, and your medical conditions.

Risks

Sleeve gastrectomy, like any other major surgery, might provide short- and long-term health hazards. Excessive bleeding, infection, anaesthesia-related complications, blood clots, lung or breathing issues, and leaks from the stomach's cut edge are all potential risks of sleeve gastrectomy.

Preparation

In the weeks leading up to your operation, you may be expected to begin a physical exercise program and discontinue tobacco use. You may be restricted from eating and drinking right before your surgery, as well as from taking certain medications. Now is a good time to start thinking about how you'll recover after surgery.

During procedure

The specifics of your surgery depend on your situation and the hospital's or surgeon's practices. Some sleeve gastrectomies are done with traditional large cuts in the belly. This is known as open surgery. However, sleeve gastrectomy is typically performed laparoscopically. This technique involves placing small instruments through multiple small cuts in the upper belly. You are given general anaesthesia before your surgery begins. Anaesthesia is a medicine that keeps you asleep and comfortable during surgery. To perform a sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon creates a narrow sleeve by stapling the stomach vertically and removing the larger, curved part of the stomach. Surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours. After surgery, you awaken in a recovery room, where medical staff monitors you for any complications.

After procedure

Following a sleeve gastrectomy, your diet will consist of sugar-free, noncarbonated liquids for the first seven days, followed by pureed foods for three weeks, and ultimately conventional foods about four weeks after surgery. You will need to take a multivitamin twice a day, a calcium supplement once a day, and a vitamin B-12 injection once a month for the rest of your life.

During the first few months following weight-loss surgery, you will have frequent medical appointments to monitor your health. You may require laboratory testing, bloodwork, and other examinations. In the first 3 to 6 months following sleeve gastrectomy, you may experience changes as your body reacts to the rapid weight reduction, such as bodily aches, feeling lethargic, as if you had the flu, feeling cold, Dry skin, hair thinning, hair loss, and mood swings.

Results

Sleeve gastrectomy can lead to long-term weight loss. Your change in lifestyle behaviours determines how much weight you lose. It is feasible to lose 60% or more of your excess weight in two years. In addition to weight loss, sleeve gastrectomy can help alleviate or resolve diseases associated with obesity, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and infertility. Sleeve gastrectomy surgery can also improve your capacity to do daily tasks and your overall quality of life.

Conclusion

Sleeve gastrectomy is an extremely effective treatment for severe obesity, resulting in significant weight loss and improvements in obesity-related health issues such type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnoea. By permanently lowering the size of the stomach, this treatment allows patients to eat less and feel fuller faster, resulting in long-term weight loss. However, the effectiveness of a sleeve gastrectomy is contingent on a lifetime commitment to dietary adjustments, portion management, regular exercise, and follow-up treatment. Patients must also take vitamin and mineral supplements to avoid deficits caused by their lower nutrient absorption capacity. While there are certain dangers associated with the procedure, including leakage, acid reflux, and potential weight gain if lifestyle adjustments are not implemented, the advantages of increased health, mobility, and quality of life frequently outweigh these concerns.