Surgeons perform approximately 150,000 gastric sleeve surgeries each year. The procedure can be life-saving for obese patients, especially if they have co-occurring conditions like heart disease. Discover the facts and benefits of gastric sleeve Frisco for weight loss and disease management.
How gastric sleeve helps you lose weight
Gastric sleeve surgery seeks to reduce the stomach’s volume to encourage a change in dietary habits. After the surgery, the stomach is only a fifth of its original size.
Reducing the stomach volume compels patients to take smaller meals more frequently. As a result, the body regulates nutrients while minimizing cravings.
Gastric sleeve surgery removes a portion of your stomach containing the hunger-inducing hormone ghrelin. The gastric fundus has cells responsible for releasing ghrelin.
Sleeve gastrectomy removes the gastric fundus and reduces the patient’s appetite. The effect on cravings is most noticeable in the first six months after surgery. But research indicates it can last up to two years following the gastrectomy procedure.
Preparing for gastric sleeve surgery
Sleeve gastrectomy can help patients manage their weight when alternatives like diet have been unsuccessful. However, patients must maintain a healthy lifestyle with nutritional adjustments and exercise.
Therefore, nutritional counseling is essential for preparing your body and mind for the procedure. A healthy diet and exercise prevent the risk of regaining weight after the procedure.
The sleeve can widen after the procedure. So you must limit your food intake to avoid changes in stomach volume.
Your healthcare provider will encourage you to quit smoking and excessive drinking. Nicotine and alcohol can damage blood vessels and interfere with wound healing. They increase the risk of side effects and extend your recovery.
The procedure also involves physical exams and tests. The evaluation checks the shape and condition of your stomach. Your doctor will also assess your BMI (Body Mass Index) and signs of cardiovascular diseases.
A review of medication that can interfere with wound healing. Aspirin and blood-thinning drugs may cause excessive bleeding. Consider informing your surgeon of any medicine you are taking during the evaluation.
What to expect during a gastric sleeve surgery?
You will be under general anesthesia during the gastric sleeve surgery procedure. The process typically takes one hour to complete. Patients are free to leave the next day after spending the night at a healthcare facility.
Surgeons use a laparoscopic procedure to perform sleeve gastrectomy. The process involves using a minute camera to guide the instruments in the abdomen.
Your surgeon staples the stomach, creating a banana-shaped sleeve. The rest of the stomach is removed surgically. You will wake up in a recovery room where specialists will assess signs of side effects or complications.
What to expect after the procedure
Unlike the traditional procedure, the incisions from the laparoscopic surgery are minute. That means they are less likely to cause inflammation or pain.
Some patients experience side effects of rapid weight loss after the gastric sleeve procedure. The side effects may include fatigue, dehydration, or erratic mood swings. Your doctor will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress.
If you want more information on the gastric sleeve procedure, call The Bariatric Experts to book an appointment today.
