Health Network News

Gastric sleeve surgery is a relatively new approach in the field of bariatric surgery and offer some hope for people battling with weight issues. It is alternately known as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve resection or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The surgery involves utilizing surgical staples to divide the stomach into two sections and then removing one section of the stomach. It is a non reversible surgery and converts the belly sack into a belly tube.

The gastric sleeve surgery involves reducing the stomach size by a duodenal switch which is sometimes offered to patients as a 2 stage bypass surgery mainly if they are overly obese since it promotes good weight loss until the patient reaches the ideal weight and then the more radical bypass can be done laparoscopic ally. Since the residual stomach capacity is 200 mls, generous allowance is made possible for surgery.

Gastric sleeve surgery was initially performed in England in 2002 as a weight loss procedure for people with a BMI of over 35.Studies show that the results have been effective and quite safe. Since then numerous surgeries have been carried out in USA and Europe with high success results. According to a proven research study, a hormone called ‘GHRELIN’ induces hunger in people, slows down metabolism, decreasing the body’s ability to burn fat. Gastric sleeve surgery removes this hormone produced in the stomach. When this hunger inducing hormone is stopped from being produced, the appetite automatically decreases. The surgery works in two ways to become an effective weight loss procedure. One is by reducing the stomach size and secondly extricating the hormones that create hunger pangs.

Advantages of gastric sleeve surgery includes: There is no dumping syndrome associated with surgery. The results in 40-60% of weight loss with in a year of the surgery. Less invasive and does not involve cutting or altering the intestine. Not excessive nutritional supplements required. It is considered less risky for patients with high BMI. No external or foreign device is placed inside the body. Normal food can be consumed after the surgery although in small quantities Safer for patients with pre existing medical conditions.

Disadvantages of gastric sleeve surgery include: The surgery is non reversible as a part of the stomach is removed permanently. Procedure is not covered by insurance. In the long run, the new stomach sack may stretch. There is not enough data to support long term results.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and the duration is about 2-3 hours. Soon after the surgery, patients will need to be on liquid diets until the body recovers and thereafter the diet will slowly change from semi solid to solid foods. About 1 month after the surgery, most patients will be able to consume normal food.

Usually after the surgery, an overall many patients notice an improvement in their medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and blood pressure. Of course, weight loss is on ongoing process and the gastric sleeve surgery is only a step towards promoting weight loss and it is in the hands of the patient to maintain a healthy lifestyle thereafter.