Sleeve Gastrectomy
Most of us aim to be slim and trim. This is because maintaining a good weight keeps us healthy, makes us look good and generally boosts our self-confidence. Yet, obesity is more than just an aesthetic concern, it is a serious condition which has been linked to a variety of health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease and joint problems. For some, losing weight can be a life-long struggle and, when obesity has become detrimental to your overall health, it might be time to consider other options.
At Clinica Jóia, we offer different weight loss procedure options, one of them being the laparoscopic gastric sleeve gastrectomy. Being the most popular bariatric operation in the world, the gastric sleeve is designed to help you lose the extra weight by reducing your appetite, thus providing the helping hand you might need to maintain your health more effectively!
Proven Success
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Typical Uses
Generally, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) surgery may be a good option for you if:
- Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (indicating extreme obesity).
- Your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (indicating obesity)
- you suffer from a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.
Lap sleeve gastrectomy is typically done to assist you in your weight loss efforts and reduce your risk of developing potentially fatal weight-related health conditions such as:
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Infertility
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Stroke
- Cancer
What It Entails
The aim of a Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is to help you feel full faster and help ease your weight loss effort. During sleeve gastrectomy, the left part of the stomach – which is responsible for the secretion of the appetite-stimulating hormone Ghrelin – is removed and the stomach is transformed into a long tube which is not capable of storing more than 100 to 150 cc of ingested food. Following this intricate procedure, your appetite will be satiated quicker, helping you to achieve a healthy weight.
How It Works
1.During the consultation
If you are interested in getting a Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), you should start by booking a consultation with our expert surgeon. During the consultation, you will be able to express what you hope to gain from this surgery and, after reviewing your medical history and body mass index (BMI), our doctor will be able to determine whether you are eligible to undergo this type of procedure. If you are a viable candidate, our doctor will outline the best course of treatment to ensure that you achieve optimal results.
2.During the procedure
During the surgical procedure, a general anaesthetic is administered to ensure your comfort throughout. Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, our plastic surgeon will start making tiny incisions of about 0.5-1.5cm to allow the instruments to be inserted through the trocars. Using state-of-the-art instruments and expert techniques, our surgeon will staple the stomach vertically to create a narrow sleeve and remove the larger, curved part of the stomach.
3.After the treatment
Post-surgery, your incisions will be covered up using bandages or dressings. Before going home to recover, you will be given specific instructions on: how to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery, what medications to apply or take orally to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
How It Works
If you are interested in getting a Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), you should start by booking a consultation with our expert surgeon. During the consultation, you will be able to express what you hope to gain from this surgery and, after reviewing your medical history and body mass index (BMI), our doctor will be able to determine whether you are eligible to undergo this type of procedure. If you are a viable candidate, our doctor will outline the best course of treatment to ensure that you achieve optimal results. If you are eligible to undergo this procedure, our doctor will prompt you to schedule your sessions with the rest of the multidisciplinary bariatric team (dietician, psychologist and anaesthetist), and undergo thorough endoscopic, imaging and laboratory investigations.
During the surgical procedure, a general anaesthetic is administered to ensure your comfort throughout. Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, our plastic surgeon will start making tiny incisions of about 0.5-1.5cm to allow the instruments to be inserted through the trocars. Using state-of-the-art instruments and expert techniques, our surgeon will staple the stomach vertically to create a narrow sleeve and remove the larger, curved part of the stomach. When this process is complete, all surgical instruments are removed and the incisions are closed. Overall, this surgery usually lasts from one to two hours, after which you will wake up in the recovery room.
Post-surgery, your incisions will be covered up using bandages or dressings. Before going home to recover, you will be given specific instructions on: how to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery, what medications to apply or take orally to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon. Most of our patients are able to return to their usual everyday activities 2-7 days after the operation. However, your doctor will advise you to avoid intense physical activity for at least three to four weeks after laparoscopic surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with any major surgical procedure, side effects may occur, and the risks and potential complications will be discussed in detail during the initial consultation. The possible risks of a sleeve gastrectomy may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Blood clots
- Lung or breathing problems
- Leaks from the cut edge of the stomach
- Gastrointestinal obstruction
- Hernias
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Malnutrition
- Vomiting
- Very rarely, complications of sleeve gastrectomy can be fatal.
It is possible for most of your weight loss to happen during the first six months, and this may amount to 50% of your excess weight.
Your bariatric procedure is designed for long-lasting effects. However, you can ensure longer results by following the multidisciplinary team’s instructions and regularly attending follow-up visits.
Whilst many experience long-term results, due to various reasons related to body healing mechanisms and your own lifestyle habits, a bariatric procedure may not retain its optimal efficiency over time. In such cases, you may choose to repeat and correct the procedure or convert it to another one which will bring you closer to your weight loss expectations.
Follow-Up Procedures
After undergoing a sleeve gasterctomy, you are advised to always show up for follow-up visits, which are crucial to the overall outcome of the procedure.
Appointments are typically scheduled on the 1st week, after 30 days, every 3 months for the first year, 18 months after the procedure, 24 months after the procedure and then annually.
