Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most successful surgical solutions for treating obesity, which has become one of the most prominent health challenges facing many people around the world. It greatly affects the quality of life and increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. With the increasing awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, the search for effective solutions for weight loss has become an urgent necessity.

Recent years have witnessed a remarkable development in medical techniques and methods to help individuals overcome the problem of excess weight. In this article, we will review in detail what gastric sleeve surgery is, how the operation is performed, how your life will be after it, in addition to its benefits and what distinguishes it from others...

What is gastric sleeve?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a surgical procedure that permanently reduces the size of the stomach, which helps limit the amount of food a person can eat and thus leads to weight loss. During the procedure, the surgeon removes about 70-80% of the stomach, leaving a small, thin tube-like portion or “sleeve” of the stomach, hence the name.

By reducing the size of the stomach, patients feel full faster and for longer, which reduces calorie intake and helps achieve sustainable weight loss. This procedure is an effective option for people who are severely obese and have not achieved noticeable results through diet or exercise.

Gastric sleeve surgery is usually performed laparoscopically, a less invasive surgical technique than open surgery, which reduces recovery time and potential complications. However, like any medical procedure, it must be performed under close medical supervision and after a comprehensive assessment of the patient's health condition.

Why is gastric sleeve surgery performed?

Here are the main reasons why people choose to get a gastric sleeve surgery:

1. Treatment of morbid obesity: Gastric sleeve surgery is a solution for people who suffer from morbid obesity, where their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 40, or higher than 35 with health problems related to obesity.
2. Reducing the risk of chronic diseases: Obesity leads to many chronic health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. Gastric sleeve surgery can help significantly reduce these risks, as studies have shown that losing weight after the operation significantly improves overall health.
3. Improved quality of life: Obesity negatively impacts individuals’ ability to perform normal daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. After surgery and weight loss, patients often experience a significant improvement in their activity, vitality, and ability to lead a normal life.
4. Psychological and emotional states: In addition to the physical effects, obesity negatively affects the psychological state of patients, as many of them suffer from feelings of frustration and anxiety. Gastric sleeve surgery helps improve patients’ self-confidence and achieve greater psychological comfort as a result of their improved appearance and weight loss.
5. Failure of other solutions: Some people may resort to gastric sleeve surgery after multiple attempts to lose weight using diets and exercise programs without achieving noticeable or lasting results. Surgery is a final option when these solutions fail to treat obesity.

Overall, gastric sleeve surgery is a safe and effective way for obese people to improve their health and psychological well-being, and reduce the health risks associated with obesity.

How is gastric sleeve surgery performed?

Gastric sleeve surgery involves reducing the size of the stomach to reduce the amount of food a person can eat. But how is gastric sleeve surgery performed and what are the steps doctors follow to perform this procedure?

Initially, the procedure is performed using a laparoscopic approach, which is less invasive than traditional surgeries, reducing surgical risks and recovery time. The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen, usually between 4 to 5 incisions, to insert the surgical instruments and camera.

After inserting the instruments, the surgeon removes about 70-80% of the stomach, leaving a small, tube-like or “sleeve” portion. This remaining portion of the stomach is small enough to significantly reduce the amount of food eaten, helping the patient feel full quickly. This portion also reduces the secretion of ghrelin, known as the “hunger hormone,” which reduces appetite after surgery.

The procedure is usually performed within 60 to 90 minutes under general anesthesia. After removing the largest part of the stomach, the surgeon closes the incisions with small stitches, taking care not to leave any leaks in the area of ​​the removed stomach.

After surgery, the patient stays in the hospital for two to three days for observation to ensure that there are no complications. The initial recovery period is relatively short, as patients can return to their normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks.

Gastric sleeve surgery, despite its relative simplicity, is a major surgical procedure that requires strict adherence to the doctor's instructions after surgery, especially regarding diet and follow-up of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Life after gastric sleeve surgery:

After gastric sleeve surgery, patients’ lives change dramatically in terms of eating habits and overall lifestyle. It is important to follow the instructions of the doctor and specialists to ensure the long-term success of the procedure. Here are some important aspects of life after gastric sleeve surgery:

• Dietary changes:
  After surgery, the stomach is smaller, so patients must follow a specific diet. Initially, the diet is based on liquids and soups, then gradually transitions to soft and then solid foods. Eating small amounts of food slowly and chewing well is also an essential part of ensuring that you do not feel full or nauseous.
• Maintain hydration:
  After gastric sleeve surgery, maintaining hydration becomes essential, but fluids should be consumed slowly and throughout the day, avoiding drinking during meals to avoid feeling overly full.
• Dietary supplements:
  Because surgery reduces the amount of food you can eat, absorption of vitamins and minerals may be reduced. Therefore, it is recommended to take nutritional supplements containing essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and vitamins B12 and D.
• Physical activities:
  Physical activity is an essential part of maintaining healthy, sustainable weight loss. You can start walking soon after surgery, then gradually increase your activity level over time based on your doctor’s instructions.
• Follow up with your doctor
  It is essential to follow up with your doctor regularly after surgery to assess your weight loss progress and ensure there are no complications.
• Psychological changes:
  Some people may face psychological challenges after surgery, as major physical and lifestyle changes require psychological adjustment. Therefore, it is advisable to get psychological support or join dedicated support groups.
• Maintaining weight:
  After weight loss from surgery, you must continue to adhere to a healthy diet and physical activity to maintain the results, as the weight can return if these habits are not maintained.

In short, life after gastric sleeve surgery requires major changes in eating and physical habits. Adherence to instructions and continuous follow-up contribute to the success of the operation and improve the quality of life in the long term.

The main health benefits of gastric sleeve surgery:

Gastric sleeve surgery offers many health benefits, the most prominent of which are:

1. Weight loss: Gastric sleeve surgery helps achieve fast and sustainable weight loss.
2. Improving diabetes: it helps manage type 2 diabetes and may reduce the need for medication.
3. Lowering blood pressure: Losing weight helps improve blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.
4. Relieving sleep apnea: it helps improve or eliminate this condition.
5. Reducing joint pain: Losing weight helps relieve pressure on the joints and ease the pain.
6. Improving mental health: it boosts self-confidence and enhances mood.
7. Increased activity: boosts your ability to engage in daily activities and improve overall fitness.

What makes gastric sleeve surgery different from other common obesity procedures?

Gastric sleeve surgery has several important advantages over other procedures such as gastric bypass and gastric banding. It provides rapid and sustainable weight loss without the need to reroute the intestines as in gastric bypass, which reduces the risk of malabsorption and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is a permanent but less complicated option, as it does not require rerouting the intestines or introducing foreign bodies into the body.

In addition, gastric sleeve surgery helps reduce appetite by reducing the size of the stomach and reducing the secretion of the hormone ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone, an effect that is not achieved as effectively in procedures such as gastric banding. Unlike gastric banding, gastric sleeve surgery does not require adjustment or removal after the procedure, which reduces the need for repeated medical visits for adjustment.

Gastric sleeve surgery also has a shorter recovery period than procedures such as gastric bypass, allowing patients to return to their daily activities more quickly. Gastric sleeve surgery strikes a balance between effectiveness and fewer complications, providing significant weight loss while minimizing potential risks, making it an attractive option for many people seeking a permanent and effective solution to their obesity problem.

Finally:
Ultimately, gastric sleeve surgery is an effective and safe option for treating extreme obesity, providing sustainable weight loss results and a significant improvement in overall health. Thanks to its ability to reduce stomach size and appetite, gastric sleeve surgery has become a preferred option for those seeking a permanent solution to their obesity-related health problems. However, the success of the surgery depends largely on a commitment to lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Regular medical follow-up remains an essential part of ensuring the continuity of positive results and enjoying a healthier and more vibrant life.