Gastric Sleeve - 6 Common Questions You need to know

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight-loss procedure in which around 80% of the stomach is removed, limiting the amount of food that can be consumed. Sleeve gastrectomy, like other weight-loss procedures like gastric bypass, gastric lap band, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, works by altering and lowering hormonal hunger signals between the stomach and the brain. The gastric sleeve, also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, has been the most popular bariatric procedure in recent years, with more than half of patients opting for it. In this post, we'll go over the most frequently asked six questions about gastric sleeve surgery, along with their answers, so you can get a better understanding of this popular technique.

What Is A Gastric Sleeve?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a type of weight loss surgery in which a big portion of your stomach is removed. Patients report that even a tiny amount of food makes them feel full following surgery. They may also feel less hungry as a result of their smaller stomachs producing lower levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger.

How Does Gastric Sleeve Work?

The gastric sleeve treatment involves the creation of a sleeve-shaped tube from a tiny portion of the stomach. The majority of your stomach is removed during gastric sleeve surgery. Surgical staples are used to fuse the remaining parts of your stomach together. When the procedure is finished, the little wounds (incisions) used are stitched closed, resulting in a long tube or banana-shaped stomach. The surgery takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

While calorie intake is limited, nutrients and minerals are adequately absorbed into the body. As a result, patients lose weight and see improvements in their metabolism as well as their overall health and well-being.

Is Gastric Sleeve Safe?

Like all procedures, vertical sleeve gastrectomy has potential risks and complications. These hazards may differ based on the patient's age, weight, and the severity of their ailment. Apart from the risks associated with anesthesia and surgery in general, such as allergic reactions, blood clots, infections, or breathing difficulties, there are also risks associated with gastric sleeve surgery, such as gastritis, heartburn, stomach ulcers, injuries, leaking, poor nutrition, scarring inside your stomach, and vomiting from eating more than your new stomach can hold. The recovery period for a gastric sleeve is much quicker than for other stomach procedures.

High-protein, nutrient-dense soft foods like low-fat deli meat, soft fish, low-fat cheese, and eggs will help you recover faster.

For obese individuals seeking a permanent solution for excess weight and its harmful side effects, bariatric surgeries such as sleeve gastrectomy are regarded generally safe operations. Still, you should talk to your doctor and a bariatric and metabolic surgeon about your options.

Do I Qualify for Gastric Sleeve?

Because each patient and case is unique, the easiest and most reliable approach to assess if you are a good candidate for gastric sleeve surgery is to consult with an expert bariatric surgeon. If you want to find out if you are a good candidate for gastric sleeve surgery, you can start by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index). The body mass index (BMI) is a metric for determining one's weight. Based on your weight, if your BMI is 40 or more, you are a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery. While it varies every patient, there are certain broad guidelines that apply to the majority of bariatric surgery patients:

• You don’t drink alcohol excessively.

• You are at least 18 years old.

• You have had a high Body Mass for nearly 5 years.

• You are ready to follow your bariatric surgeon’s instructions about gastric sleeve surgery diet and exercise

Is Gastric Sleeve Worth It?

The before and after results and reviews for gastric sleeve surgery are excellent, and the operation is well worth it if the patient is committed to following the surgery's regulations for post-op diet and activity. After the procedure, you'll only be able to ingest liquids. You'll gradually transition to pureed food, then solid meals, over the next few weeks. Your meals will be significantly smaller than before the procedure. To lose weight and keep it off following surgery, you'll need to make substantial lifestyle adjustments, including diet and exercise habits.

Here are some compelling reasons to choose a gastric sleeve:

• Gastric sleeve results are remarkable, and the surgery provides weight loss (average of 66% of excess body weight)

• Short hospital stays and quick recovery thanks to the minimal surgical cut

• Permanent

• Limits the amount of food that can be consumed

• Provides significant changes to hormones and digestive organs, resulting in reducing hunger and having a more active metabolism.

• Losing enough weight after gastric sleeve surgery can improve many weight-related medical conditions you have. These conditions include asthma, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and gastroesophageal disease (GERD).

How Much Does Gastric Sleeve Cost?

One of the most important variables of the cost is the type of bariatric surgery you choose. In the United States, for example, a gastric sleeve surgery may cost around $15,000, while a more intrusive procedure, such as a gastric bypass, may cost around $21,000.

The cost of the gastric sleeve varies from patient to patient, based on the patient's weight, health insurance, surgeon, hospital, and country of surgery.

"Is gastric sleeve covered by insurance?" you might wonder. Yes, most health insurance companies pay the expense of a gastric sleeve. However, some health insurance policies cover this, while others do not.

You should discuss the coverage of your policy with your insurance agency or firm, as well as any potential costs you may incur.

Here are some examples of average gastric sleeve surgery costs in other countries:

Gastric sleeve cost in Turkey: €6,600

Gastric sleeve cost in Poland: €6,100

Gastric sleeve cost in India: €6,000

Gastric sleeve cost in Australia: €12,000

Gastric sleeve cost in Canada: €16,000

Gastric sleeve cost in the UK: €14,000

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