Gastric sleeve surgery is a relatively new approach in the field of bariatric surgery and offer some hope for people battling with weight issues. It is alternately known as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve resection or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The surgery involves utilizing surgical staples to divide the stomach into two sections and then removing one section of the stomach. It is a non reversible surgery and converts the belly sack into a belly tube.

The gastric sleeve surgery promotes weight loss by reducing the stomach’s size permanently and thereby restricting the consumption of food. The surgery is the first part of a two stage procedure where the surgeon removes three-quarters of the stomach along the outside curve of the stomach. The new belly takes the shape of a narrow tube which runs along from the esophagus to the small intestine. The reason why the surgery is done in 2 parts is to make it safer for obese patients with a BMI of over 60.

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.

Benefits of gastric sleeve surgery It is a less complicated procedure than gastric bypass as it does not require any reconnecting or rerouting of the small intestine. Gastric sleeve surgery does not need the implantation of any foreign or artificial device inside the body to facilitate weight loss. Patients lose about 40-60 % of their weight with 1 year of the surgery. It is entirely safe for patients with a BMI of over 60.Also patients having pre-existing medical conditions can safely undergo the surgery. There is no dumping syndrome associated with t he surgery. Normal food can be consumed few weeks after the surgery. Nutritional supplements are usually not required after the surgery.

Disadvantages of gastric sleeve surgery Overall weight loss is lesser than other surgeries and the surgery is irreversible because a part of the stomach is permanently removed. The stomach pouch may eventually stretch in the long run. Insurance companies usually do not cover gastric sleeve surgery. The surgery is still in the experimental stage though many patients have achieved favorable results.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and the duration is about 2-3 hours. Soon after the surgery, patients will need to be on liquid diets until the body recovers and thereafter the diet will slowly change from semi solid to solid foods. About 1 month after the surgery, most patients will be able to consume normal food.

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.

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