Gastric Sleeve Surgery – A Boon To Obese People
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 involves reducing the stomach size by a duodenal switch which is sometimes offered to patients as a 2 stage bypass surgery mainly if they are overly obese since it promotes good weight loss until the patient reaches the ideal weight and then the more radical bypass can be done laparoscopic ally. Since the residual stomach capacity is 200 mls, generous allowance is made possible for surgery.
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.
Advantages of gastric sleeve surgery includes: There is no dumping syndrome associated with surgery. The results in 40-60% of weight loss with in a year of the surgery. Less invasive and does not involve cutting or altering the intestine. Not excessive nutritional supplements required. It is considered less risky for patients with high BMI. No external or foreign device is placed inside the body. Normal food can be consumed after the surgery although in small quantities Safer for patients with pre existing medical conditions.
There are also several disadvantages of this surgery. The procedure is not reversible, Since it is a relatively new procedure, it may be difficult to find experienced surgeons. Gastric sleeve surgery is not enclosed in insurance deals. No long term studies to prove that the surgery will have a long term effect.
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.
Usually after the surgery, an overall improvement in the general health of the patient is visible. Of course the gastric sleeve surgery is only a step in the journey towards weight loss and it is up to the patient to bring about lifestyle changes to maintain the ideal weight throughout his or her life.
Learn more about theGastric Sleeve Surgery. Stop by Jessica Sharpe’s site where you can find out all about Gastric Sleeve Surgery and what it can do for you.
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