Weight Loss Using Gastric Sleeve Surgery

By Estelle Larsen


Certain health problems have many ways to be treated. In terms of overweight and obesity, there are two types of weight loss surgeries. Restrictive surgeries cut down the size of the stomach so it slows down the digestion. The stomach would then hold just a few ounces of food from normally being able to hold three pints. Malabsorptive surgeries bypass part of a digestive tract, commonly the stomach or gastric tract, so it does not absorb calories.

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.

This is fully known as Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a type of restrictive surgery. It removes about eighty five percent of the stomach. This in turn would make the stomach smaller where it would look like a tube instead, hence why it is called a sleeve.

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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