Losing Weight and Gaining Health: Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric Sleeve surgery is a surgical procedure aimed at reducing the size of the stomach and decreasing appetite, resulting in weight loss. During this procedure, a portion of the stomach is removed and converted into a smaller tube, with the larger portion of the stomach closed off by a special stapler. The remaining small tube of the stomach is then converted into a thin tube with a length of 1-2 cm.

Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the available options for individuals who suffer from severe obesity and have not been able to lose weight through other methods.

Doctors indicate that it can help improve overall health and reduce the risks of obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and vascular diseases.

However, Gastric Sleeve surgery is not suitable for everyone and requires a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine whether the procedure is appropriate for the patient's condition and health conditions.

Gastric Sleeve surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 30 minutes to one hour. The following are the steps involved in the gastric sleeve surgery:

1. Endoscopy: A thin endoscope is inserted through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach to allow the surgeon to see the stomach and other internal parts.

2. Creating the pouch: A special tool is used to create a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach, and the pouch is closed using sutures or special clips.

3. Reducing stomach size: A portion of the stomach is removed, and the remaining portion is closed using sutures or special clips, resulting in a significant reduction in the size of the stomach.

4. Completing the procedure: The endoscope is removed, and the wounds are closed using sutures or special clips.

Any person who suffers from obesity and needs to lose weight can be a candidate for this surgical procedure, but there are some basic medical criteria that candidates must meet, including:

1.  Age group: The candidate for gastric sleeve surgery should be between 18 and 60 years old.
2. Body Mass Index (BMI): The candidate's BMI should be greater than 30 kg/m², with an obesity-related disease present.
3.  Health condition: The candidate should be in good health and not suffering from any serious health problems.

The appropriate body mass index (BMI) for undergoing Gastric Sleeve surgery depends on the individual's weight. BMI is a measure used to determine whether weight is overweight or not normal.

BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in square meters. The ideal weight for gastric sleeve surgery is when the BMI is in the range of 35-40 or higher.

Gastric Sleeve surgery is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce the size of the stomach and hence the amount of food that can be consumed. Therefore, gastric sleeve surgery helps in weight loss in the following ways:

1.  Decreased appetite: After gastric sleeve surgery, the size of the stomach becomes smaller, which leads to a decreased appetite and desire to eat.

2. Decreased food intake: Due to the reduction in the size of the stomach, it becomes difficult to consume large amounts of food, leading to a decrease in the number of calories consumed.

3. Increased metabolism: Weight loss leads to an increased metabolism, as  the body needs to burn more calories to maintain basic bodily functions.

4. Improved overall health: Weight loss leads to improved overall health, as it reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart and artery diseases.

The stages of weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery vary from person to person and depend on various factors such as age, gender, weight, and the patient's commitment to a healthy lifestyle after surgery. However, they can usually be divided into two main stages:

The first stage (first two months): The percentage of weight loss during this stage is significantly higher than in the other stages. The patient typically loses between   20% to 30% of their original weight during this stage, due to the small amount of food intake as a result of the new smaller stomach size and the inability to consume large amounts of food. Fluid loss can also occur due to surgery, which can aid in weight loss.

The second stage (from the third month until 12-18 months): Weight loss continues during this stage but at a slower rate compared to the first stage. The patient typically loses between 5% to 10% of their total weight during this stage, which depends on several factors, including diet, exercise, and the patient's commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

After these two stages, weight loss gradually becomes less, and the patient may reach a stable weight after about 18-24 months from the surgery.

Before undergoing Gastric Sleeve surgery, the patient should follow a set of instructions and guidelines, including:

1. Refraining from eating and drinking for 12 hours before the surgery.
2. Avoiding medications that contain blood thinners for a week before the surgery.
3. Reporting any medications and chronic illnesses before the surgery.
4. Quitting smoking for a period before the surgery and then committing to not smoking for 6 weeks after the surgery.
5. Undergoing laboratory tests and other medical tests before the surgery to determine the patient's suitability for the procedure.
6.  Following a specific diet to reduce weight before the surgery.

After undergoing a Gastric Sleeve surgery, the patient needs to follow specific instructions to help achieve good results and avoid potential complications. The following are some of the instructions that should be followed after the surgery:

1.  Adhere to a special diet according to the treating physician's instructions, and refrain from consuming solid foods for 2-4 weeks after the surgery.
2. Avoid drinking liquids during meals, and it is advisable to wait at least 30 minutes after the meal before drinking liquids.
3.  Ensure to drink sufficient amounts of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
4. Engage in light exercises such as walking and swimming after getting medical approval.
5. Avoid consuming fatty foods, sweets, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
6.  Ensure to consume enough proteins to maintain the body's health.
7.  Ensure to rest and relax and avoid sleeping on the right side after the surgery.

After Gastric Sleeve surgery, the amount of food that can be consumed is reduced, which also reduces the amount of necessary vitamins and minerals for the body. Therefore, patients must take vitamins and minerals regularly, including:

1. Vitamin B12: helps improve the functions of the nervous system and brain, so the patient should take B12 supplements after surgery.
2. Iron: helps improve blood function and is better absorbed in the large intestine, so the patient should take it after surgery.
3.  Calcium: helps improve bone and teeth health, and it is important to take it after sleeve surgery.
4. Vitamin D: helps improve calcium absorption and bone health.