Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery
Introduction
Gastric Sleeve has become one of the most popular bariatric surgeries because of the many benefits it offers over other procedures. Gastric sleeve surgery in India has become quite preponderate due to better awareness and low cost, because of which it attracts many people from both western and non-western countries alike.
About the procedure
Gastric sleeve surgery is basically a restrictive weight loss surgery which decreases the size of the stomach. Earlier this surgery was regarded as the first stage procedure of the more complicated operation known as bilio pancreatic diversion. However, the excellent weight loss seen after this surgery together with the technical simplicity has made it the most popular bariatric surgery of recent times.
The operation removes around 80% of the stomach using a specialized laparoscopic stapling gun. This staples the stomach on both sides and cuts in between which makes the procedure fast and bloodless. The volume of the stomach is reduced from initial 2000 cc to only 150 - 200 cc. This markedly reduces the amount of food that can be consumed at one sitting.
Also, removal of the stomach reduces the level of hunger hormone (ghrelin). This makes the person satiated early and helps in weight loss. The food which is consumed also passes to the intestine faster which releases hormones which increase the metabolic rate and burn the stored fat. This not only augments the weight loss but also helps in remission of metabolic diseases like diabetes.
FAQ's
Q1. How much weight will I lose after gastric sleeve?
The 5 year expected excess weight loss for this procedure is up to 70-80%. This means that for a person weighing 120 kgs with an ideal weight of 70 kgs, the expected weight loss after surgery would be around 35-40 kgs in approximately 1 year and would remain reduced for 5 years and more.
Q2. Is gastric sleeve surgery safe?
Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the technically less demanding bariatric surgery types which make it safe and easy to perform. The procedure can be performed quickly within 30-40 minutes with the help of mechanical staplers. Since this procedure only reduces the size of the stomach and doesn’t tamper with the intestines, the long term complications of malabsorption are avoided which makes it safer than bypass procedures.
Q3. How painful is gastric sleeve surgery?
All types of bariatric surgery procedures are performed under general anaesthesia with the patient fully unconscious. This means that the person is totally unaware and doesn’t feel any pain during the operation. After the procedure, the patient may have a minor pain for a few hours which is controllable with pain killer injections and is almost pain free the next day.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Q4. Gastric sleeve surgery requirements
Any person with BMI of more than 40 kg/m2 or BMI more than 35 kg/m2 with obesity related diseases is a candidate to undergone gastric sleeve surgery. The person should be of psychologically sound mindset, understand all the pros and cons of the surgery, have good family support system and should be committed to comply with the lifestyle changes following the surgery.
The surgery is avoided in people with severe reflux diseases, heavy smokers, drug addiction and people with severe psychological disorders
Q5. Gastric sleeve surgery price
The price of gastric sleeve surgery depends upon many factors. The cost of gastric sleeve surgery in Delhi may vary between 2 -4 lacs INR depending upon the hospital, operating surgeon, quantity and type of staplers used, number of days of hospitalisation and the anticipated complications during or after the procedure.
Q6. Gastric sleeve surgery diet
The diet following gastric sleeve surgery is divided into 4 phases
- Phase 1 (0-5 days) - Clear Liquid diet
- Phase 2 (5-15 days) - Full liquid diet
- Phase 3 (15-30 days) - Pureed diet
- Phase 4 (30-45 days) - Soft diet
After 45 days of surgery, the person can take a normal diet. The meals have to be very small in quantity with increased frequency of around 6-8 meals per day. The person is instructed to eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Water should be taken either 1 hour before or 1 hour after the meal but not with food. The person should avoid high calorie beverages, aerated drinks, black tea/coffee and alcohol.