Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Closer Look at This Procedure
If you or a loved one is considering weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery), you might be overwhelmed by the options available to you. While discussing your options with your doctor, remember to ask any questions you can think of – there are no silly questions when it comes to understanding your options and medical care.
In this blog, we’re going to touch on a few questions Dr. Alpendre’s team hears frequently: how serious is gastric sleeve surgery, what are the downsides to gastric sleeve surgery, and how much weight do you lose after sleeve gastrectomy? Let’s jump in.
How Does a Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?
The sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most common types of bariatric surgery and it works by reducing the amount of food you can eat – this is done by removing about 80% of your stomach. The smaller stomach can hold less food, and it also produces less of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin. Ghrelin is responsible for that sensation of “being hungry,” so reducing its production can also help you eat less.
Gastric Bypass vs. Sleeve Gastrectomy:
Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are two types of weight-loss surgery that are often used to help people who are obese. Both surgeries work by reducing the amount of food that the stomach can hold, which can help people lose weight. However, there are some key differences between the two surgeries.
As we discussed in our blog about the gastric bypass, this surgery keeps the stomach intact, only making it smaller and then bypassing the remainder and some length of the small intestine.
Sleeve gastrectomy, on the other hand, completely removes the unused part of the stomach, and does not bypass portions of the small intestine. If you’re wondering “how serious is gastric sleeve surgery,” you might be happy to know that it’s less invasive than gastric bypass, and potential weight loss is comparable between the two surgeries.
The Pros & Cons of the Sleeve Gastrectomy
Pros of Sleeve Gastrectomy
It is an effective way to lose weight
This surgery is less invasive than other bariatric options
Losing weight with this surgery can help you get healthier
This is a permanent change, so you won’t need to worry about maintaining lifestyle changes after a reversal
Cons of Sleeve Gastrectomy
So, what are the downsides to gastric sleeve surgery? Keep in mind that your surgeon will also go over all of the risks and benefits as they specifically pertain to you.
This is a permanent surgery and you can never get the removed portion of your stomach back
There are surgical risks that aren’t present with diet and lifestyle changes
You may also experience some rare, temporary side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
What to Expect Before, During, & After
Before your surgery, you can expect to need to fast – the extent of your fasting will depend on when your surgery is and how your surgeon will be performing your surgery. When you get to the hospital, you will be admitted and prepped for surgery. When you go into the OR, you will be put under with anesthesia, and you will awaken in a recovery room.
You will stay in the hospital for at least 48 hours, during which point you will probably only have water and clear liquids. After this, you can start slowly introducing soft foods (like smoothies and such). Make sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions very carefully so that you don’t cause complications. Most people can return to work after a couple of weeks, but it will take about 6 weeks for you to feel back to your normal self.
How Much Weight Do You Lose After Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Sleeve gastrectomy is a popular method because it can help you lose a significant amount of weight. Most people lose between 50 and 70% of their excess weight after sleeve gastrectomy. This weight loss can help you improve your health and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective way to lose weight and improve your health. However, it is important to understand the risks and side effects of this surgery before making a decision. If you’d like to learn more about this and other bariatric surgery options, get in touch with Dr. Alpendre’s team today at Suncoast Surgical Associates. We have various teams of specialists right here in Florida.