Friday 3 June 2022

Gastrectomy for Weight Loss: Reasons, Risks, Procedure, and Benefits

 


Weight loss is a struggle for many people, especially those dealing with obesity. Eating the proper amount of food and a consistent workout routine may not be enough, and more drastic measures may be needed.

If you're looking for weight loss surgeries, you might consider getting gastric sleeve surgery. It is also called the vertical sleeve gastrectomy.  It is a laparoscopic surgery that involves removing up to 80% of the stomach.

Why is sleeve gastrectomy a solution for individuals who want to lose weight? Read more to find out.



Why Do People Get Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Surgeons will perform a sleeve gastrectomy to help you lose excess weight. The procedure will also reduce the risk of you acquiring life-threatening diseases related to weight, which include:

  • Heart disease

  • High blood pressure

  • Sleep apnoea

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • High cholesterol

  • Stroke

  • Infertility

  • Cancer 

You can also undergo a sleeve gastrectomy to maintain a healthy body mass index or BMI. Generally, people who are qualified to undergo this procedure are those whose:

  • BMI is 40 or higher (extreme obesity)

  • BMI ranges from 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and have a severe problems when it comes to weight (e.g., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnoea)

However, doctors will only perform the sleeve gastrectomy once you’ve tried to lose weight by improving your diet and keeping a good exercise habit.

To qualify for this surgery, you have to be willing to maintain a strict diet and workout regimen. You will also be required to participate in long-term follow-ups, including monitoring various aspects of your life like nutrition, behaviour, medical condition, and nutrition.

What are the Risks of Getting a Sleeve Gastrectomy?

As with other medical procedures, a sleeve gastrectomy comes with risks. These are:

  • Infections

  • Blood clots

  • Hernias

  • Vomiting

  • Low blood sugar

Some foods may not agree with you post-surgery. Nutrition problems may also arise, which will prompt you to take vitamins and health supplements.


What Will the Procedure for a Sleeve Gastrectomy Look Like?

Before getting the procedure done:

  1. Start a physical activity. Your surgeon will require that you keep a regular workout routine to qualify for the surgery.

  2. Stop anything that can worsen your condition, like smoking or excessive drinking.

  3. Maintain a strict diet and regularly drink the prescribed medication.


During surgery, a surgeon will make small incisions on your abdomen. Then, the doctors will insert trocars or long tools to perform the surgery laparoscopically.

A sleeve gastrectomy entails removing around ¾ of your stomach. To finish, the surgeon will reattach the remaining part of your stomach, which will form the "sleeve".

Post-surgical pain and symptoms are normal. However, you may feel some discomfort at first, and you will be encouraged to walk 3-4 hours after recovery from surgery.

Most patients can tolerate post-surgery pain and won’t finish the prescribed medication. You may also experience fatigue during the first two weeks due to the recommended low-calorie diet. However, you will regain energy once you ease into a soft diet.

Doctors will also encourage you to begin exercising four weeks after surgery.


What are the Benefits of Getting a Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

A person who has undergone sleeve gastrectomy will lose an average of 60-70% of their weight. Post-surgery, the surgery will result in long-term weight loss, starting with 4.5-9 kilograms for the first two weeks.

Most sleeve gastrectomy patients will reach their lowest weight in 1-2 years.

Various studies and clinical trials also concluded that a sleeve gastrectomy could improve weight-related problems like:

  • High cholesterol

  • Diabetes

  • Infertility

  • Heart disease


Conclusion

If you’re looking for a surgical procedure for your weight loss problem, consult a weight loss surgeon to ask if you qualify for a sleeve gastrectomy. Although there are other metabolic and bariatric surgery options like gastric bypass surgery, a sleeve gastrectomy is much simpler.


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