Are you considering gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy or VSG? At Be Slim Bariatrics (BSB) we want to help you make informed decisions. So let’s take a look at a few of the most important aspects to consider, and the necessary lifestyle changes you will need to make following gastric sleeve surgery.
Eligibility for Gastric Sleeve Surgery
You will normally be a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve surgery if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over. You may also be eligible for a gastric sleeve if you have a lower BMI and suffer from obesity-related health problems, such as type-2 diabetes or sleep apnea.
You might want to consider a gastric sleeve if you:
- Have not been able to manage long-term weight loss with diet and exercise
- Struggle with controlling your eating habits due to hunger
- Would prefer a bariatric procedure that only requires small incisions
But gastric sleeve surgery isn’t the right choice for everyone. You may be advised to undergo a full gastric bypass, instead of gastric sleeve surgery if you have acid reflux or any symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some people may not be eligible for weight loss surgery due to pre-existing medical issues, which is why patients need to be assessed before surgery.
What to Expect With Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is a minimally invasive type of bariatric surgical procedure. The actual gastric sleeve surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will not be conscious and will be pain-free during the procedure. The procedure typically takes 90 minutes and when you wake up you will be cared for in a recovery area before being transferred to your hospital room.
For the first few days, you will probably feel some discomfort and may also feel tired, although you shouldn’t be in a lot of pain as this is well controlled with medications. Because only small incisions are normally made in the upper abdomen, you will generally have dissolvable stitches and just a few small post-op dressings. Due to the less invasive nature of gastric sleeve surgery, the risk of complications is lower than with other bariatric surgery techniques.
When you have been checked by your post-operative medical team and are fully awake, you will be encouraged to move around and walk about. This is normally within a few hours of your procedure, and you will typically stay in the hospital for one to two nights.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery: What it Can and Can’t Accomplish
Before deciding if you should have gastric sleeve surgery it is vital to understand that this procedure will not result in optimal weight loss unless you change your lifestyle and diet. Additionally, this procedure will not prevent you from gaining weight. You can and will gain weight if you eat foods that are high in fat and sugar and consume more than your daily recommended calorie intake.
The single most crucial component in the long-term effectiveness of gastric sleeve surgery is behavioral change, which includes a commitment to regular physical exercise as well as making the correct dietary choices. It’s important to understand that you need to exercise and continue to eat a healthy diet or you may regain weight.
Scheduling Gastric Sleeve Surgery
We can usually organize your gastric sleeve surgery to take place as quickly as 14 days, diet and health need depending and following your bariatric surgeon’s approval. If you would like to find out if gastric sleeve surgery might be right for you just fill out our health questionnaire. The health form is provided at no cost to make it possible for anyone to take the initial step toward improving their health and wellness.
Be Slim Bariatrics’ skilled group of board-certified surgeons primarily specializes in bariatric surgery, operating in the most cutting-edge and modern hospitals in Tijuana, Mexico, that adhere to or surpass U.S. standards of care. Don’t let finances stop you, we can also assist you with bariatric financing options, so you can start your weight loss journey, today.
