6 Things You Need to Know Before Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is one of the methods of bariatric surgery. This surgery decreases the size of the stomach. The purpose of the procedure is to limit your intake of food by narrowing the upper gastrointestinal tract. The surgery is performed if conservative treatments are ineffective and your BMI is more than 30.

The surgery is irreversible

The procedure is aimed at creating a tube or sleeve from the stomach. The diameter of the sleeve is about 2 cm, and the volume is 150–180 ml. Approximately 80% of the stomach is removed by surgery. In other words, a football ball-size stomach becomes a banana-size one. Sleeve gastrectomy is somewhat simpler than gastric bypass surgery, so the likelihood of complications is also less.

The surgery doesn’t interfere with the stomach’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. Still, sleeve gastrectomy is an irreversible procedure in which part of the stomach is removed. The presence of sutures during sleeve surgery can lead to complications such as fluid seepage or fistula formation. Sleeve gastrectomy is not suitable for people with severe heartburn.

You can lose your weight quickly if you stick to the diet

Weight loss occurs most rapidly during the first six months, reaching a total of 60-70%. Your mobility increases. It becomes easier to pick out clothes and, as a result, this gives you a self-esteem boost. After a year, you t feel much better and can freely play sports .

You can lose more pounds if you develop a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity. Those who maintain a sedentary lifestyle and allow unhealthy snacks may have poor results. After1-1.5 years, your body weight gets stable, although you should still be observed for at least 5 years.

You may get rid of weight-related diseases

A month after the surgery, you will begin to notice positive effects on your health, diabetes, and sleep apnea. In most cases, patients stop their insulin intake, sleep better, and do not snore, which has an important impact on the quality of life.

Other obesity-related diseases reduce their symptoms or disappear completely. The list includes joint pain, hypertension , low fertility, and cardiovascular diseases. Your lifespan increases and quality of life radically improves.

You’ll have to quit smoking

Smoking interferes with all processes in the body. To reduce the risk of complications, you t should refrain from smoking for 1-2 weeks before surgery. It will be impossible to cheat because nicotine-tests are conducted right before sleeve gastrectomy. If you fail the test, the surgery will be postponed.

Your desire to eat will be lowered

As the volume of the stomach dramatically decreases, the feeling of fullness appears quickly. You will only be able to eat a small amount of food. At the same time, the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin is removed. This hormone makes the brain feel hunger. Thus, patients do not suffer from hunger and gluttony attacks.

Due to the loss of the hormone ghrelin, you will have less appetite and cravings for food. Since during sleeve gastrectomy the outlet of the stomach is preserved, the operated patients do not develop dumping syndrome , as is the case with gastric bypass surgery. The syndrome makes the body intolerant to foods high in sugar or fat. After the surgery, the possibility of gastroscopy remains.

You’ll need to acquire new eating habits

As a rule, hospitalization lasts up to 3 days. You can drink liquid the next day after the surgery. Then you gradually introduce other products into the diet. Firstly the food should be puree-like until the doctor allows the patient to add something else.

For 4 weeks, you cannot eat solid foods and should follow a diet controlled by a specialist. The process is greatly facilitated by the significant loss of appetite after sleeve gastrectomy. After that period solid products may be introduced, but you should chew them slowly and thoroughly. Also avoid drinking during and 30 minutes after the meal, so the stomach isn’t overfilled.