Gastric Sleeve Surgery – A Boon To Obese People

A relatively new bariatric procedure performed for weight loss is the gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), gastric sleeve resection or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.The procedure involves removing a large portion of the stomach using stapling devices while leaving the small intestine and both ends of the stomach intact. It has proven to be beneficial for super obese people struggling with weight issues for a long time.

The gastric sleeve surgery involves reducing the stomach size by a duodenal switch which is sometimes offered to patients as a 2 stage bypass surgery mainly if they are overly obese since it promotes good weight loss until the patient reaches the ideal weight and then the more radical bypass can be done laparoscopic ally. Since the residual stomach capacity is 200 mls, generous allowance is made possible for surgery.

The first gastric sleeve surgery took place in 2002 in England and has since been gaining worldwide attention as an effective and safe bariatric procedure. During gastric sleeve surgery, the surgeon removes about 60-80% of the stomach leaving a small tube for the new stomach sack .The hunger hormone GHRELIN that creates hunger in people, slows metabolism and decreases the body’s ability to burn fat is removed during the surgery. When the hunger inducing hormone is removed, the appetite is curbed and therefore the patient feels less hungry.

Advantages of gastric sleeve surgery includes: There is no dumping syndrome associated with surgery. The results in 40-60% of weight loss with in a year of the surgery. Less invasive and does not involve cutting or altering the intestine. Not excessive nutritional supplements required. It is considered less risky for patients with high BMI. No external or foreign device is placed inside the body. Normal food can be consumed after the surgery although in small quantities Safer for patients with pre existing medical conditions.

Disadvantages of gastric sleeve surgery include: The surgery is non reversible as a part of the stomach is removed permanently. Procedure is not covered by insurance. In the long run, the new stomach sack may stretch. There is not enough data to support long term results.

The surgery takes around 2-3 hours to perform and the patient is given general anesthesia. Patients are put on liquid diet after the surgery and once the body heals, the diet is slowly changed from semi solid, pured food to normal solid foods. Patients can start eating normal food about 1 month after the surgery.

Many patients have reported noticing an improvement in their health and discover that their diabetes, blood pressure or hypertension is well under control. Gastric sleeve surgery is not the end but a journey in the ongoing process of weight loss. The patients have to make healthy lifestyle changes to aid them in losing weight and maintaining it throughout their lives.

Learn more about theGastric Sleeve Surgery. Stop by Jessica Sharpe’s site where you can find out all about Gastric Sleeve Surgery and what it can do for you.