Risks And Effects Of Gastric Sleeve Surgery For Weight Loss

By Estelle Larsen


Certain health problems have many ways to be treated. In terms of overweight and obesity, there are two types of weight loss surgeries. Restrictive surgeries cut down the size of the stomach so it slows down the digestion. The stomach would then hold just a few ounces of food from normally being able to hold three pints. Malabsorptive surgeries bypass part of a digestive tract, commonly the stomach or gastric tract, so it does not absorb calories.

Malabsorptive surgery has a lot of complications when done as a stand alone procedure. The cost for a gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico starts at forty six hundred dollars while in the United States it would be around fifteen thousand to around twenty five thousand dollars. This can be a stand alone procedure.

The full term is Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy which is a restrictive surgery. It cuts away up to eighty four percent of the stomach leaving a small sleeve or tube as the remaining part of the stomach. Previously the stomach would hold about three pints of food, but afterwards it will only be able to take in a few ounces but would gradually increase.

An open procedure is done via several small incisions on the abdomen. A few instruments are slid inside to do the incisions and cuts. Also, a special tiny camera would be used as guide for the entire duration, hence it is called a Laparoscopic procedure.

This is a huge approach to weight loss in terms of overweight and obesity where medicine, diet, and exercise are no longer effective. This type of surgery is a modification from a different bariatric procedure which is the duodenal switch and then later included as a part of the gastric bypass procedure. Doing the bypass surgery alone was too much of a risk, hence the two steps procedure.

After the one to about two hours of the procedure, the patient should stay inside the hospital for another three to four nights for close monitoring. The healing takes about a month or less depending on the physical health of the patient. Some of them tend to be fully healed and has gone back already to their regular activities in just two or three weeks.

A few complications may arise. Infection, blood clots, appetite loss, sleeve leaking, nausea, stomach pains due to esophageal spasms, and vomiting are what would likely to happen. Diarrhea is also possible due to dumping syndrome which dumps the food too quick towards the small intestines.

For the duration of a month or two, your doctor will guide you in your recovery. In the first month of the healing process, your stomach can handle only liquids or soft food. Make sure to be always hydrated for the duration of the day, so drink water regularly. The bowel movements would most likely be less often but this is common during the healing process. Be sure not to be constipated as well.

The recorded success rate on the weight loss of most patients is about sixty six percent. That is more than half of their initial weight compared to the loss of other procedures which goes from forty one to sixty two percent. It is important to follow the instructions of the doctor as well to maintain safety of recovery. A realistic approach and added methods for weight loss would definitely help as well.




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