Weight Loss Using Gastric Sleeve Surgery

By Estelle Larsen


Obesity and overweight can be surgically treated in a way that is not the same with cosmetic surgery. This is a form of weight loss where part of the digestive tract is removed in order to control absorption. Restrictive and Malabsorptive are types of surgery that can be done. Restrictive removes portion of the stomach in order for it to take in less amount food which cuts the over intake. Malabsorptive is a bypass in the tract where food no longer goes to either the gastric tract or the stomach.

The malabsorptive is no longer a stand alone surgery due to the complications of its side effects. Gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico would cost at a starting price of four thousand and six hundred dollars compared to in the United States which has a range of about fifteen thousand to twenty five thousand dollars. This type can most likely be stand alone as well.

This is fully known as Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a type of restrictive surgery. It removes about eighty five percent of the stomach. This in turn would make the stomach smaller where it would look like a tube instead, hence why it is called a sleeve.

A small incision is made in the abdomen which is an open procedure. It is done by making few small incisions and utilizing small instruments. It is called laparoscopic because a small camera would be slid inside as guide.

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.

There are a few complications that are possible to happen. Sleeve leaking, blood clots, infection, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and esophageal spasm or stomach pains. Diarrhea may also happen due to the dumping syndrome or where food goes to the small intestines too quickly, making it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients.

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 success rate in weight loss can go more than half of the excess weight of the patient which is about sixty six percent. You can compare this to other bariatric procedures which is about sixty two to forty one percent. Making sure to follow the guidelines from the doctor and a realistic approach with the weight loss could help a lot. As well as being physically active and having a healthy lifestyle.




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