Gastric Sleeve Surgery, also known as Sleeve Gastrectomy, has gained immense popularity as the go-to weight loss procedure worldwide, thanks to its ability to deliver rapid and substantial weight loss results.
Gastric Sleeve involves the removal of approximately 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a tubular pouch that closely resembles a banana in shape.
This surgical option is suitable for individuals not eligible for other weight loss procedures due to factors such as a high BMI or underlying medical conditions, including anaemia.
Gastric Sleeve may not be possible for individuals who have previously undergone certain stomach surgeries, such as anti-reflux or hiatus hernia surgery or had parts of their stomach removed for cancer or ulcer treatment. You must check with your healthcare provider if you have a history of stomach organ procedures.
For those who diligently follow post-operative recommendations, Gastric Sleeve typically leads to an average weight loss of around 1 kilogram per week until the patient's body weight reaches a healthier range.
This procedure offers numerous advantages, including:
The effectiveness of Gastric Sleeve can be attributed to several mechanisms:
Opting for Gastric Sleeve surgery offers distinct advantages when compared to alternative weight loss procedures:
While Gastric Sleeve boasts numerous benefits, it's important to be aware of potential long-term vitamin deficiencies. However, these can be effectively managed through a balanced and appropriate diet.
Gastric Sleeve is a highly effective weight loss solution, offering a range of benefits while maintaining essential aspects of digestive function. If you're considering weight loss surgery, discussing the options with a healthcare professional to determine the best approach for your unique circumstances is essential.
Studies and medical history have shown that individuals can lead healthy lives without a portion of their stomach. In the case of the Gastric Sleeve procedure, which retains the lower part of the stomach (the Antrum), essential functions such as vitamin B12 absorption remain intact. Iron, calcium, and folate levels also remain unaffected. The Gastric Sleeve does not pose a risk of malabsorption, ensuring that every nutrient consumed follows a normal path through the gastrointestinal tract.
While Gastric Sleeve surgery allows individuals to consume less food, taking a single multivitamin is advisable. This supplementation helps ensure that your body receives essential vitamins and minerals. An annual blood test can be useful to monitor the status of these vital nutrients.
Your nutritionist will guide your specific supplement requirements during your initial consultations. Due to the changes in gastric and bowel function resulting from the Gastric Sleeve or bypass, ongoing supplementation is necessary. Depletion of vitamins and minerals such as iron and vitamin B12 may occur over time. Regular blood tests will help determine any deficiencies and guide appropriate supplementation.
Before weight loss surgery, tests are typically performed to ensure safety and predictability. These tests may include:
Depending on your medical history and specific circumstances, additional consultations and tests may be required. These may involve referrals to specialists such as:
These consultations aim to comprehensively assess your overall health and determine if any other medical conditions must be addressed before proceeding with weight loss surgery. If you are already under the care of other specialists, our team will coordinate with them to ensure a holistic approach to your treatment.
The Gastric Sleeve procedure involves several key steps:
Pain following weight loss surgery is typically minimised as these procedures are performed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery). Immediate post-surgery sensations may include chest tightness, a stitch-like feeling in the upper abdominal area (especially on the left side, beneath the rib cage), or a slight ache in the left shoulder tip. These sensations typically resolve within 3-4 days and should not significantly limit your ability to sit up or walk.
Adequate analgesia will be provided both during your hospital stay and after discharge to ensure your comfort. Most patients will not require more than over-the-counter pain relievers like Panadol once they return home.
The actual Gastric Sleeve procedure takes less than an hour. However, preoperative checks, postoperative observation, and recovery will necessitate an overnight stay in the hospital.
Most patients wake up feeling relatively comfortable due to the minimally invasive nature of laparoscopic surgery. Any initial discomfort usually subsides quickly, and patients often regain full alertness within an hour or two.
Sometimes, patients may still experience slight drowsiness in the recovery room. Our experienced anesthesiologists are dedicated to ensuring your comfort and may utilise self-administered pain management systems when necessary. Pre-emptive analgesia, where local anaesthetic is applied before incisions, further helps in minimising discomfort.
Patients should expect changes in their appetite and eating habits following the Gastric Sleeve procedure. You'll find yourself consuming smaller portions and experiencing a reduced appetite. This shift in eating patterns will contribute to a gradual and steady weight loss over time.
Unlike other surgical procedures, Dr Ho typically does not use surgical drains, nasogastric tubes, or urinary catheters during Gastric Sleeve surgery. Most patients will only have an intravenous (IV) drip in their arm when they wake up, which is removed once they can drink enough fluids.
Recovery times can vary from person to person and depend on individual healing rates and medical history. However, most patients feel well enough to be discharged within 24-48 hours after their procedure. This typically involves staying overnight or for a maximum of two nights. It's important to note that patients are discharged when they feel ready, and there is no rush to leave the hospital.
We encourage patients to get up and walk around the ward as soon as they feel comfortable, often on the same day as their procedure. Early mobility helps prevent issues like blood clots and chest infections.
While you can care for most of your personal needs when leaving the hospital, you may require assistance with tasks like shopping, lifting, and transportation during the first few days of recovery.
Recovery from Gastric Sleeve extends beyond the hospital stay. Patients are encouraged to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, including eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly.
Driving within 24 hours of undergoing a general anaesthetic is not permissible. Therefore, arrangements should be made for someone to pick you up from the hospital. Most patients typically feel ready to resume driving after about three days. However, it's important to refrain from driving until you have discontinued any strong pain medications and feel confident in your ability to respond quickly in an emergency.
Support from your spouse, significant other, parents, or a friend is highly encouraged during your hospital recovery. They can assist you by encouraging you, walking with you, reminding you to stay hydrated, and using your incentive spirometer. Sometimes, one person can sleep in the hospital room with you. It's important to note that visitors cannot bring food into the hospital room. We advise against inviting individuals who may not be supportive of your decision to undergo bariatric surgery, and we recommend limiting the number of visitors during your hospitalisation to ensure your focus on recovery.
Eating patterns will change significantly after the Gastric Sleeve surgery:
Recovery after Gastric Sleeve is a journey that involves gradual adjustments to your eating habits and lifestyle. The support of healthcare professionals and loved ones is crucial in ensuring a successful recovery and long-term weight loss.
The journey doesn't end with Gastric Sleeve surgery; it's just the beginning of a transformative path.
Our Care Plan is designed to ensure the success of your gastric sleeve surgery. After your surgery, you'll have several follow-up appointments, including:
These regular check-ins provide opportunities for dietary advice, health support, and progress monitoring. You'll also meet with our dieticians at various intervals before transitioning to the next phase of your diet, with ongoing dietetic consultations.
Our goal is to maximise weight loss and ensure freedom from post-operative issues. As you lose weight, the fat around your stomach will diminish.
Once you reach your goal weight (typically 12-18 months after surgery), follow-up appointments can be scaled back to annual visits.
Regular check-ups are crucial to bariatric follow-up, ensuring your long-term success. Offering bariatric surgery without comprehensive post-operative care is considered unethical.
Exercise is essential for your overall health and recovery. As soon as you feel up to it after surgery, begin with walking. You should initially rest for 2-3 weeks but gradually increase your physical activity. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Hair loss is common following weight loss surgery and is often due to the physiological stress placed on the body. Factors contributing to hair loss include rapid weight loss, inadequate protein and calorie intake, low iron, zinc, or biotin levels, and extended use of meal replacement shakes.
To address this, take your multivitamin and mineral supplements, consume high-protein meals twice daily, and aim for 60-80 mg of protein and carbohydrates daily. If iron stores are low, consider an iron supplement. Limit meal replacement shakes and bars to one daily after four weeks post-surgery.
While some patients may experience surplus skin after significant weight loss, it's important to note that most patients find their skin naturally remodels and shrinks over time. Plastic surgery for surplus skin should only be considered at least a year or two post-surgery, as the skin continues to contract after reaching your goal weight.
Regular exercise and proper hydration can aid in skin remodelling. If excess skin persists, you can seek an opinion from a plastic surgeon, and body contouring surgery can be considered.
The stomach may stretch over time, particularly if overeating becomes a habit. This is typically a long-term issue, not commonly seen in the first few years after surgery. It is crucial to respect your new, smaller stomach and avoid overeating.
Complementing surgery with changes in eating behaviours, lifestyle, and exercise levels significantly reduces the chances of stomach stretching. If a significant stomach capacity increase occurs, rescue procedures such as re-sleeving the stomach or using sutures can be considered. The choice of approach depends on individual circumstances and is subject to ongoing research.
No, the Gastric Sleeve surgery cannot be reversed because a portion of the stomach is permanently removed. Many patients are attracted to this procedure because it is a more permanent solution to their weight issues.
The staples used in the Gastric Sleeve procedure are safe and have been used for over 50 years. They are essential to the procedure, and patients can rest assured that they are completely safe.
The staples used in the Gastric Sleeve procedure are too small to activate airport and security metal detectors. They are virtually invisible on medical X-rays.
The Gastric Sleeve procedure has been performed worldwide since the 1960s. Over time, it has been refined and extensively studied, making it one of the fastest-growing types of weight loss procedures globally.
To prevent future weight gain, consider:
Your post-gastric sleeve journey involves ongoing care, support, and adjustments to your lifestyle. Regular follow-up appointments, proper nutrition, exercise, and patience with skin remodelling will contribute to your long-term success in achieving a healthier weight and life.
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