Reducing stomach volume by the use of a gastric sleeve (laparoscopic longitudinal gastrectomy)
Instructions for the gastric sleeve procedure
Laparoscopic longitudinal gastrectomy is recommended for high-risk obese patients or patients who wish to minimize the risks of surgical intervention in the weight loss process. Gastric sleeve surgery is recommended for elderly patients.
The intervention is perfectly fitting for people who wish to lose weight through a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and do not wish to get an implant, which would need constant supervision and regular check-ups.
What is the gastric sleeve procedure?
The gastric sleeve procedure is a safe and efficient surgical weight loss intervention, which is gaining worldwide popularity. This procedure makes it possible to reduce the patient’s food intake without bypassing the intestine. This in turn leads to avoiding the phenomenon of malabsorbtion.
The process of applying the gastric sleeve
The intervention is a restrictive one estbalished via advanced laparoscopic procedures. It involves resecting a part of the stomach and creating a gastric tube with a volume of approximately 60-120 mls. The stomach is essentially transformed into a tube, which maintains its function. After the intervention even small amounts of ingested foods will cause a feeling of extreme satiety thanks to the drastic reduction of the stomach’s storing capacity. The operation eliminates the excess volume of the stomach and does not involve remodelling it. Such a remodelling would eliminate the hormone responsible for providing the feeling of satiety.
Through the gastric sleeve procedure 85% of the stomach will be eliminated. Basically the part of the stomach which expands the most, when we eat, is the part responsible for storing the ingested food.
The intervention lasts for 1-3 hours.
The advantages of the gastric sleeve
- If the stomach’s volume is reduced, this will continue functioning normally. Thus the patient will be allowed to consume most of the foods he/she was used to, albeit in smaller quantities.
- The weight loss after the intervention is about 60-80%, and the new weight can be maintanied for a long time.
- The intervention does not affect the absorbtion of vitamins and minerals. Thus these will not have to be supplemented in the patient’s diet.
- The risk of intestinal blockage, anemia and ostheoporosis is eliminated with the use of bariatric procedures.
- Gastric sleeve surgery minimizes the risk of getting ulcer.
- The procedure is a one-time intervention. No subsequent adjustments are necessary.
- This intervention avoids any complications that might be caused by a foreign object’s introduction into the body. The risk of erosion, slipping, or developing an infection are eliminated.
- Gastric sleeve surgery aleviates diseases associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
- The procedure is aided presently by modern technological means which provide easy applicability even in complex medical cases.
Post-op recovery
Post-op hostpitalization is approximately 2-3 days. The next step is following a light post-op diet made up of semi-solids for a month, followed by a low-calorie diet of solids enriched in the long-term with proteins.
The required post-op work leave is approximately 2 weeks, and the total recovery time is 3-4 weeks.
The procedure betters the patient’s quality of life due to the massive ammount of weight lost in the post-op period. Losing a considerable amount of weight in a short time, along with the small risk of complications, make this bariatric intervention a good choice for those who need a change.
Gastric sleeve surgery can be a permanent surgical intervention, but in case of an unsatisfactory weight loss, it can later be complemented with another bariatric intervention.
In order to provide an adequate monitoring of the weight loss process after the surgical intervention, a close cooperation between the physician and the patient is necessary. The goal is a gradual weight loss, because losing the surplus weight at a fast pace may lead to serious health issues.