Gastric sleeve surgery, popularly known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a bariatric surgery procedure that helps you with weight loss. The surgery reduces the stomach size, leaving behind a narrow sleeve. The reduction in the size of the stomach restricts the intake of calories and pangs of hunger. This surgery is recommended to people who have been long struggling to lose weight, however in vain.
Sleeve gastrectomy does more than reduce the size of the stomach. It also reduces the amount of hunger hormones your stomach produces, decreases your appetite and cravings, and may help prevent the impulses causing you to regain weight that you have lost. Following the high success rate of this procedure, sleeve gastrectomy has become extremely common.
How is Sleeve Gastrectomy Helpful?
Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical treatment for obesity and all the medical conditions around it. It is offered to people who have been struggling with serious medical conditions related to obesity or who are at a high risk of developing the same. It may improve and eliminate the following diseases:
- Insulin resistance
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hyperlipidemia
- Arterial diseases
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Obesity hypoventilation
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Joint pain or osteoarthritis.
It is important to mention that the surgery is not primarily used to treat the above-listed conditions, but helps with improving them as they are associated with obesity.
What are the Advantages of Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Smaller Food Portions
The best advantage of this surgery is that after the procedure you feel satisfied even with the smaller portions of food. It happens because of two reasons. During the surgery, the surgeon reduces the stomach because the amount of hormones and other biochemicals involved in the sense of hunger also goes down. Secondly, the space necessary to be filled with food becomes relatively smaller, so less food is required to fill it.
This surgery when combined with physical exercise and a healthy diet does wonders for your weight loss process. A significant loss in weight also improves other conditions, such as diabetes, blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and more.
Less Invasive than Other Bariatric Surgeries
Gastric sleeve operation is considered less invasive than other approaches to bariatric surgery. The procedure doesn't involve a lot of cutting, disconnection, or alteration of the small intestines. It reduces the risk of surgical complications. And since the position of the intestines is not altered, the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is minimally affected.
When you opt for this surgery, you don't need dietary supplements to cover up for your deficiency of nutrients. Sleeve gastrectomy doesn't include dietary restriction. You can enjoy eating your favorite food items that you used to before the operation.
No Risk of Dumping Syndrome
After this surgery, the outlet valve of the stomach remains intact, unlike other bariatric operations. It means this surgery doesn't involve the risk of dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome is a condition where the food passing through the stomach remains unaffected by the gastric juice, leading to pain, indigestion, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
No Insertion of Foreign Devices in the Body
This surgery doesn't involve the insertion of unwanted foreign devices, such as gastric bands or any other device in the body. It reduces the risk of slip, erode, or infections.
What are the Disadvantages of Sleeve Gastrectomy?
An Irreversible Procedure
One of the disadvantages of opting for this surgery is that it is irreversible. A big part of your stomach is removed permanently from the body and a new small pouch is formed. This new pouch is more sensitive to food. Some people may adapt well to the new changes in the digestive system, while for others it may become a little difficult.
Stretching of the Stomach
Sleeve gastrectomy causes the stomach to stretch. As a result, some patients may keep trying to eat the same amount of food they used to in spite of any physical satisfaction. When this procedure is performed, no device is inserted to stop the stomach from overfilling, because of which it tends to stretch. The constant overfilling enlarges the stomach and in some cases, you may consume more food than normal.
As a result, it may increase your calorie intake, and regardless of the bariatric surgery so opted for, you may gain weight again.
Other Complications
Just like any other bariatric procedure, sleeve gastrectomy may lead to other health complications which may vary from person to person. Some of the complications of this surgery include the following:
- Blood clots
- Pneumonia
- Infection
- Post-operative pain
- Leakage from the staple line
- Side-effects from anesthesia, and more.
Out of all these complications, leakage could be dangerous as the gastric juices may damage the surrounding internal organs, making it easy for the infection to spread.
Takeaway
Sleeve gastrectomy has become a common bariatric procedure to help you shed extra kilos from your body. Compared to other surgeries, it is safer and more successful. It is essential to understand the pros and cons of the surgery and listen to the advice of your doctor before making the final decision.
