Weight Loss Using Gastric Sleeve Surgery

By Estelle Larsen


Obesity and overweight can be surgically treated in a way that is not the same with cosmetic surgery. This is a form of weight loss where part of the digestive tract is removed in order to control absorption. Restrictive and Malabsorptive are types of surgery that can be done. Restrictive removes portion of the stomach in order for it to take in less amount food which cuts the over intake. Malabsorptive is a bypass in the tract where food no longer goes to either the gastric tract or the stomach.

Malabsorptive surgery has a lot of complications when done as a stand alone procedure. The cost for a gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico starts at forty six hundred dollars while in the United States it would be around fifteen thousand to around twenty five thousand dollars. This can be a stand alone procedure.

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.

An open procedure is done via several small incisions on the abdomen. A few instruments are slid inside to do the incisions and cuts. Also, a special tiny camera would be used as guide for the entire duration, hence it is called a Laparoscopic procedure.

Having this approach is a huge step for treatment in obesity. This should be considered when the methods for medicine, exercise, and diet have no effect on the patient anymore. This surgery type is actually part of an overall procedure called the duodenal switch. Is is later on included as part of the gastric bypass procedure. The bypass is no longer done in a stand alone process due to a lot of risks and complications.

After the one to about two hours of the procedure, the patient should stay inside the hospital for another three to four nights for close monitoring. The healing takes about a month or less depending on the physical health of the patient. Some of them tend to be fully healed and has gone back already to their regular activities in just two or three weeks.

A few complications may arise. Infection, blood clots, appetite loss, sleeve leaking, nausea, stomach pains due to esophageal spasms, and vomiting are what would likely to happen. Diarrhea is also possible due to dumping syndrome which dumps the food too quick towards the small intestines.

For the duration of a month or two, your doctor will guide you in your recovery. In the first month of the healing process, your stomach can handle only liquids or soft food. Make sure to be always hydrated for the duration of the day, so drink water regularly. The bowel movements would most likely be less often but this is common during the healing process. Be sure not to be constipated as well.

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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