Sleeve or not to Sleeve

A sleeve gastrectomy is a demonstrated, effective way to help people to lose excess weight. Many people find it helps them make the necessary long term changes to their diet needed to lose the weight and keep it off. However, it isn’t a ‘quick fix’ or a certainty that you will lose that needed weight. Successful weight loss will be dependent entirely on your making good dietary choices and increasing your physical activity level.

You should ensure that all of your questions have been answered fully before you sign the consent form for surgery.

What is the Gastric Sleeve ?  The "Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy" is a restrictive form of weight loss surgery in which approximately 85% of the patient's stomach is removed leaving a cylindrical or sleeve shaped stomach with a capacity ranging from about 60 to 150 cc, This depends on the surgeon performing the procedure. Unlike many other forms of bariatric surgery, the outlet valve and the nerves to the stomach remain intact and, while the stomach is drastically reduced in size, its function is preserved. The sleeve gastrectomy is not reversible surgery.  Because the smaller new stomach continues to function normally there are far fewer restrictions on the foods which sleeve  patients can consume after surgery, albeit that the quantity of food eaten will be considerably reduced in size. This is seen by many patients as being one of the greatest advantages of the sleeve gastrectomy, as is the fact that the removal of the majority of the stomach also results in the virtual elimination of hormones produced within the stomach which stimulate hunger. Perhaps the greatest advantage of the gastric sleeve surgery lies in the fact that it does not involve any bypass of the intestinal tract and patients do not therefore suffer the complications of an intestinal bypass such as intestinal obstruction, anemia, osteoporosis, vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency. It also makes it a suitable form of surgery for patients who are already suffering from Anemia, Crohn's disease and a variety of other conditions that would place them at high risk for surgery involving an intestinal bypass.

What to Expect after Surgery ...It is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions given to you by your surgeon starting immediately after the operation to allow the newly formed stomach structure to heal completely and in the right position. You will notice a large difference in the amount and type of food you can eat. You will receive nutritional counseling to help show you the dos and don’ts of what to consume. Since the amount of food you can eat will be much less, it becomes very important to eat the right types of food to be sure your body gets enough nutrients. Exercise is very important also. Most people find that as the weight comes off after surgery, it becomes easier to do exercise. Then, as they exercise more the weight comes off even more. It’s like a reverse snowball effect: as a snowball rolls downhill it goes faster and grows bigger – but instead of a snowball getting bigger, it is you getting smaller and healthier! We recommend that our patients exercise at least 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week. It is reasonable to expect to lose about half of your excess body weight after having Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery. Most patients lose at least 1 - 2 pounds per week. Most patients stabilize at their new lower weight between 3 and 5 years after surgery. Weight-related medical problems may be alleviated or eliminated after weight-loss surgery. Such conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and weight related depression. Significant weight loss may also decrease your risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Vertical Sleeve Surgery can be the answer to life threatening conditions if taken seriously and required restrictions are followed seriously... Each patient must make these decisions for themselves. A well informed patient is the most successful patient.