GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY (STOMACH REDUCTION)
In cases where obesity cannot be treated with normal diet programmes and physical activities, medical methods such as gastric balloon and gastric surgery are the solution. Your doctor will choose the appropriate method for you. The most common surgical intervention, sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve gastrectomy) is a stomach reduction method.
The sleeve gastrectomy, which can be applied to patients with a BMI (body mass index) of 35 and above, is based on the principle of removing a large part of the stomach and reducing it in a banana-like structure and reducing nutrition. The operation, which also provides hormonal changes, gives very successful results. Since it is also open to revision operations, it is currently the most widely applied and successful method in the world.
Stomach reduction (sleeve gastrectomy) surgery has an effect on metabolic functions as it provides weight loss as well as a large part of the part where hunger hormones are produced during the reduction of the stomach. In some patients, it has an effect on the improvement of diabetes. (Sleeve gastrectomy and diabetes surgery are not the same operation. In most cases, gastric sleeve operation is not sufficient to eliminate diabetes in patients, a different operation may be required according to blood sugar and insulin values).
What to Do Before Gastric Sleeve Gastrectomy (Stomach Reduction Surgery)?
Before sleeve gastrectomy, the medical name of which is sleeve gastrectomy, the doctor will determine what to do and the use of medication, especially blood thinners, according to the patient’s condition and side diseases.
It is important to quit smoking and alcohol use in the week before the operation and to eat lightly on the day before the operation in order to make the operation and its aftermath comfortable.
Routine blood tests will be performed in the hospital before surgery and the necessary opinions for anaesthesia and suitability for surgery will be evaluated by the relevant medical units.
Nutrition After Gastric Sleeve Gastrectomy:
After sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach volume is significantly reduced. For this reason, the stomach will reach the feeling of saturation by not feeding the patient in the previous amounts and taking less food.
Since the operations are performed by closed (laparoscopic) method, the pain sensation is considerably less compared to open operations. Liquid nutrition is started on the same day.
Following a diet programme after the operation will make the process healthier.
Especially in the first week, it is necessary to eat mainly liquid. Afterwards, it is appropriate to eat in the form of puree for 1 month. Afterwards, it is important not to eat heavy food and to avoid fatty and sugary foods. Until 6 months, it is good to avoid foods such as rice, pasta and bread.
Generally, vitamin and protein support is required for up to 3 months, then it will be progressed depending on the evaluation.
Return to Work and Daily Activities after Gastric Sleeve Gastrectomy:
You can return to work within 7-10 days after the operation. However, this period is longer for heavy work. Walking can be done 1 week after the operation, cycling and swimming can be done 1 month after the operation.
How is the weight loss process after sleeve gastrectomy?
Weight will be lost rapidly for 3-4 months after stomach reduction. Afterwards, there is a slowdown and stagnation, which usually lasts 2-3 weeks and in some cases can last up to 1.5 months. This is normal and weight loss will continue as long as the diet is not broken. However, as you get closer to the ideal weight, you will lose weight at gradually decreasing rates. As a result, it is expected to lose between 75% and 100% of the excess weight.
Is there an improvement in obesity-related diseases after sleeve gastrectomy?
Since sleeve gastrectomy surgery is effective in eliminating metabolic problems in addition to weight loss, improvement is also observed in some obesity-related diseases:
Hypertension
Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
Cardiovascular diseases
Gastroesophageal reflux
Obstructive sleep apnoea