Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery: A Key to Better Health and Improved Quality of Life

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide to Transformative Weight Loss Surgery

Sleeve gastrectomy is a weight-loss surgery that involves reducing the size of the stomach into a tube-like shape. This is often referred to as vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery or gastric sleeve.

This procedure helps patients eat less by limiting stomach capacity, without altering the digestive process. It’s primarily used for individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher.

Sleeve gastrectomy is considered a relatively safer surgical intervention. The procedure is typically performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy or robotic surgery.

Understanding Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

Sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of approximately 75% of the stomach, leaving a tubular-shaped remnant. Unlike other weight-loss surgeries, it doesn’t alter the anatomy of the small intestine.

The bariatric procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. Surgeons typically employ a minimally invasive approach using laparoscopic/robotic surgery, which involves several small incisions in the abdomen. The method entails removing approximately 75-80 percent of the stomach, and reshaping the remaining portion into a narrow, banana-shaped sleeve using surgical staples. Once completed, the incisions are closed. The entire procedure usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes.

Sleeve gastrectomy significantly impacts appetite regulation by modifying gut signals associated with taste, hunger, and blood sugar control. The reduced stomach capacity limits food and liquid intake, contributing to weight loss by decreasing calorie consumption.

Moreover, by removing the portion of the stomach responsible for producing a significant amount of the “hunger hormone,” sleeve gastrectomy influences metabolism, reducing hunger, enhancing feelings of fullness, and facilitating weight management and improved blood sugar control.

Health Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy

People who undergo sleeve gastrectomy typically lose between 70 to 80 percent of their excess body weight. The bariatric procedure offers a transformative approach to weight management, providing a range of benefits that contribute to improved overall health and quality of life.

Technically simple and shorter surgery time
Can be performed on certain patients with high-risk medical conditions
May be performed as the first step for patients with severe obesity
May be used as a bridge to gastric bypass or SADI-S procedures
Effective weight loss and improvement of obesity-related medical conditions

Quality of Life Improvements

A remarkable 95% of patients reported a significant enhancement in quality of life following bariatric surgery, while mortality rates decreased by a substantial 89% within five years.

Migraines 57% resolved
Depression 55% resolved
Pseudotumor cerebri 96% resolved
Obstructive sleep apnea 74% -98% resolved
Dyslipidemia hypercholesterolemia 63% resolved
Asthma 82% improved or resolved
Cardiovascular disease 82% risk reduction
Hypertension 52% -92% resolved
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 90% improved steatosis; 37% resolution of inflammation; 20% resolution of fibrosis
GERD 72% -98% resolved
Metabolic syndrome 80% resolved
Type II diabetes mellitus 83% resolved
Stress urinary incontinence 44% -88% resolved
Polycystic ovarian syndrome 79% resolution of hirsuitism; 100% resolution of menstrual dysfunction
Degenerative joint disease 41% -76% resolved
Venous stasis disease 95% resolved

Who Should Consider Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Bariatric surgery can be considered an appropriate alternative for:

BMI above 32.5 kg/m2 with obesity-related co-morbidities
BMI above 37.5 kg/m2 without co-morbidities
BMI > 30 kg/m2 with life-threatening obesity-related disorders like uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular disease/cardiomyopathy and severe obstructive sleep apnea
Patients motivated to lose weight and committed to long-term follow-up
Patient should have attempted conservative methods of weight loss and failed in the past
Bariatric surgery is to be considered only between the ages of 18 – 65 years
Bariatric surgery may be considered in patients more than 65 years in the presence of severe obesity-related co-morbidities/disability
Bariatric surgery may be considered in patients < 18 years in special situations after paediatrician/endocrinology certification, or after attainment of puberty or completion of skeletal maturity

Bariatric surgery offers potential benefits, but it’s essential to weigh these against individual risks. Your weight, age, and medical history play a crucial role in determining your suitability for surgery. To make an informed decision, careful consideration of specific guidelines and patient factors is necessary.

Choosing the Best Weight Loss Surgeon and Facility

Your choice of clinic and surgical team plays a crucial role in the success of your sleeve gastrectomy. Here’s why top bariatric surgery centres can make all the difference:

Expertise at Every Step: A renowned bariatric surgeon runs a comprehensive bariatric program with all the infrastructure required to facilitate bariatric surgery candidates. They’ll guide you through pre-operative evaluation, ensure you have access to state-of-the-art surgical facilities, and provide extensive support post-surgery.?
A Team You Can Trust: To run a comprehensive bariatric program, it is essential that the team comprises a Bariatric Surgeon, Bariatric Nurse, Bariatric Dietician, Program Managers and Coordinators to provide the best guidance and facility.

Before deciding, take some time to research renowned bariatric surgeons. Here are some key factors to consider:?

Accreditation: Look out for clinics and surgeons accredited by recognized healthcare organizations, ensuring they meet the highest safety standards.?
Surgeon’s Qualification: Research the surgeon’s experience and qualifications in performing sleeve gastrectomy. ?
Success Rates: Inquire about the surgeon’s success rates for the procedure.?
Patient Testimonials: Reading real patient experiences can offer valuable insights into the surgeon’s approach and patient care.?

Real-Life Success Stories

Peter Arthur, a Kenyan businessman, was struggling with severe obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, joint pain, and backache. His weight of 171 kilograms significantly impacted his professional and personal life.

Despite repeated attempts at diet and exercise, he was unable to achieve sustainable weight loss.

Bariatric surgery ultimately proved to be a successful intervention, leading to a weight loss of nearly 45 kilograms within a year. As a result, he has experienced significant improvements in his overall health and quality of life.

Conclusion

Sleeve gastrectomy offers a transformative path to improved health and well-being for individuals struggling with obesity. By reducing stomach capacity and regulating hunger and satiety hormones, this procedure can lead to significant weight loss and the resolution of obesity-related health conditions. However, it’s essential to remember that surgery is just the beginning. Long-term success depends on adopting healthy lifestyle changes, including balanced nutrition and regular exercise.

In cases of extreme obesity (BMI 60 or above), sleeve gastrectomy surgery can be the initial step in a two-part surgical plan. This first surgery helps patients lose significant weight, making them healthier candidates for a second weight-loss procedure, if necessary.

If you’re considering sleeve gastrectomy surgery, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified bariatric surgeon to determine if you’re a suitable candidate. By partnering with experienced professionals and committing to a holistic approach, you can embark on a journey towards a healthier, happier you.

Remember, every individual’s experience is unique. While sleeve gastrectomy has shown remarkable results for many, it’s important to manage expectations and understand the potential risks and benefits involved.

Examining the Pros and Cons of Bariatric Surgery

Experience a Journey Towards a Healthier You!

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, can be a transformative step towards a healthier and happier you. This procedure acts as a powerful ally in your weight loss journey, helping you achieve significant, lasting weight loss. As a result, the risk of developing serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers can be significantly reduced. Bariatric surgery allows you to unlock a future filled with increased energy, improved mobility, and a renewed sense of well-being.

Moreover, here’s the good news: weight loss surgery has become much safer over time. Thanks to newer techniques, better training for surgeons, and quality control programs, the mortality risk associated with this surgery has gone way down, from around 1.5% to a much lower 0.3%. So, while it remains a major procedure, it can be a powerful tool to help people with obesity live longer, healthier lives.

Consider the Option that Best Meets Your Requirements

There are different procedures available for Bariatric surgery, and surgeons can choose the best option based on each patient’s, individual needs.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: This two-pronged surgical approach tackles weight loss by both curbing appetite and reducing nutrient absorption. Staples are used to create a smaller stomach to limit the amount of food intake, and certain section of the small intestine is bypassed to limit the nutrients and calories absorbed.

Sleeve Gastrectomy: The method encompasses the stapling and removal of a portion of the stomach to reduce the size of the stomach to that of a small banana. It also influences weight loss by altering gut hormones that regulate appetite, taste, and blood sugar levels, contributing to feelings of fullness after consuming a smaller volume of food.?

Mini Gastric Bypass: In this surgery, the surgeon creates a long, sleeve-shaped pouch from the stomach. This pouch is then connected directly to the small intestine, forming a loop.

Banded Gastric Bypass: By adding a band to a gastric bypass surgery, surgeons can precisely control the pouch and stoma sizes in this banded gastric bypass procedure. This standardization and adjustability can potentially improve weight loss outcomes in the long run.

Single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a two-part weight loss surgery. The first part involves reducing the stomach’s size through a procedure called sleeve gastrectomy. The second part reroutes the digestive system. This reduces the body’s ability to absorb fats and calories, leading to weight loss.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for Me?

Weight loss surgery isn’t for everyone. The question comes round to:

Am I qualifying for bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is for patients with:

BMI > 32.5 kg/m2 with obesity related co-morbidities

BMI > 37.5 kg/m2 without co-morbidities

BMI > 30 kg/m2 with life-threatening obesity-related disorders like uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular disease/cardiomyopathy, and severe obstructive sleep apnoea

Bariatric Surgery to be considered only between the ages of 18 – 65 years

Bariatric surgery may be considered in patients more than 65 years in the presence of severe obesity-related co-morbidities/disability

Bariatric Surgery may be considered in patients < 18 years in special situations after paediatrician/endocrinology certification, or after attainment of puberty or completion of skeletal maturity

Obesity treatment encompasses a lot more than stated. A good lifestyle works wonders with a follow-up routine. Moreover, regularly consulting the multidisciplinary team to monitor progress is fundamental to addressing the underlying potential complications.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Bariatric Surgery

Weight-loss surgery is an effective and more reliable alternative to lose 60-80% of your excess weight within a year of surgery. Significant weight loss after bariatric surgery positively impacts cardiac metabolism, workload, performance, and structure.?

Bariatric Surgery improved the quality of life for 95% of patients with an 89% reduction in 5-year mortality.

Migraines 57% resolved

Depression 55% resolved

Pseudotumor cerebri 96% resolved

Obstructive sleep apnea 74-98% resolved

Dyslipidemia hypercholesterolemia 63% resolved

Asthma 82% improved or resolved

Cardiovascular disease 82% risk reduction

Hypertension 52-92% resolved

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 90% improved steatosis; 37% resolution of inflammation; 20% resolution of fibrosis

GERD 72-98% resolved

Metabolic syndrome 80% resolved

Type II diabetes mellitus 83% resolved

Stress urinary incontinence 44-88% resolved

Polycystic ovarian syndrome 79% resolution of hirsuitism; 100% resolution of menstrual dysfunction

Degenerative joint disease 41-76% resolved

Venous stasis disease 95% resolved

Understanding the risks associated is of equal importance. By and large, every surgery involves risks.

Risks of Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery

The more extensive the bypass operation, the greater the risk for complications and nutritional deficiencies. Patients with extensive bypasses of the normal digestive process require not only close monitoring but also may require the use of special foods and medications. Five to ten percent of patients who undergo weight-loss operations may require surgical/medical interventions to correct complications.

Rare complications of gastric bypass surgery include leak through staples or sutures, ulcers in the stomach or small intestine, and blood clots in the lungs or legs (it is hence important for all our patients to strictly adhere to the compression stockings and LMWH therapy as advised postoperatively), stretching of the pouch or oesophagus, persistent vomiting, and abdominal pain, inflammation of the gallbladder, and failure to lose weight.

Many a patient undergoing bariatric surgery develop gallstones. Gallstones are clumps of cholesterol and other matter that form in the gallbladder. A person’s risk of developing gallstones increases during rapid or substantial weight loss.

A few studies have reported up to 30 percent of patients who have weight-loss surgery may develop nutritional deficiencies such as anaemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disease. These deficiencies can be avoided if vitamin and mineral intakes are maintained – a close follow-up with our dietician is thus emphasized.

Women of childbearing age should avoid pregnancy for 12-15 months until their weight becomes stable because rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a developing fetus. Though some bariatric procedures can be reversed, patients should carefully consider all of the risks and benefits before electing to have this surgery.

Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy are advised a very close monitoring of their blood sugar and other medications with regular follow-up. Patients who have been advised C-PAP/Bi-PAP must strictly adhere to the usage, or else it could even prove fatal.

In short bariatric/metabolic surgery is not a magic pill but could work like magic if used and practised judiciously under supervision.

Post-Surgery Care and Management

Post-bariatric surgery, there are a few things to keep in mind to make it a success. Here’s what your post-bariatric surgery care must involve.

Your surgeon and healthcare team will be there to watch over you, answer questions, and help avoid any problems. They’ll also track your weight loss to see how you’re doing.

Having good people around you is important. Friends, family, or even a support group can be a big help after surgery. They can offer encouragement and understand what you’re going through.

Food after surgery is a step-by-step process. Right after, for 15 days it’ll be non-aerated, sugar-free liquids like fat-free milk, buttermilk, soy milk, almond milk, strained soups, coconut water, etc. It’s like giving your stomach a little rest for a few weeks to heal up. Then, things will slowly move to soft foods for the next 15 days that are easy to chew and digest. Make sure to get plenty of protein during this time, like lean meats or dairy products. After a month the diet becomes normal, focusing on protein-based foods.

Don’t forget to move your body! So, getting some exercise is a great way to manage the long-term effects of bariatric surgery, feel better overall, and keep the extra kgs away for good.

Your Weight Shouldn’t Be the Barrier to the New ‘You’!

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery isn’t just about the numbers on the scale. It can be a major win for your overall well-being!

Studies show that people who have weight loss surgery not only manage health problems better but also feel a lot better about themselves. They have more energy, and they feel more confident in their own skin.

Of course, everyone’s reasons for wanting weight loss surgery are different. The important thing is to talk to your surgeon about all your options and concerns. They can help you decide if weight loss surgery is right for you and provide support before and after surgery.

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