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Gastric sleeve surgery is a relatively new approach in the field of bariatric surgery and offer some hope for people battling with weight issues. It is alternately known as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve resection or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The surgery involves utilizing surgical staples to divide the stomach into two sections and then removing one section of the stomach. It is a non reversible surgery and converts the belly sack into a belly tube.

The gastric sleeve surgery involves reducing the stomach size by a duodenal switch which is sometimes offered to patients as a 2 stage bypass surgery mainly if they are overly obese since it promotes good weight loss until the patient reaches the ideal weight and then the more radical bypass can be done laparoscopic ally. Since the residual stomach capacity is 200 mls, generous allowance is made possible for surgery.

The first gastric sleeve surgery took place in 2002 in England and has since been gaining worldwide attention as an effective and safe bariatric procedure. During gastric sleeve surgery, the surgeon removes about 60-80% of the stomach leaving a small tube for the new stomach sack .The hunger hormone GHRELIN that creates hunger in people, slows metabolism and decreases the body’s ability to burn fat is removed during the surgery. When the hunger inducing hormone is removed, the appetite is curbed and therefore the patient feels less hungry.

Benefits of gastric sleeve surgery It is a less complicated procedure than gastric bypass as it does not require any reconnecting or rerouting of the small intestine. Gastric sleeve surgery does not need the implantation of any foreign or artificial device inside the body to facilitate weight loss. Patients lose about 40-60 % of their weight with 1 year of the surgery. It is entirely safe for patients with a BMI of over 60.Also patients having pre-existing medical conditions can safely undergo the surgery. There is no dumping syndrome associated with t he surgery. Normal food can be consumed few weeks after the surgery. Nutritional supplements are usually not required after the surgery.

Disadvantages of gastric sleeve surgery Overall weight loss is lesser than other surgeries and the surgery is irreversible because a part of the stomach is permanently removed. The stomach pouch may eventually stretch in the long run. Insurance companies usually do not cover gastric sleeve surgery. The surgery is still in the experimental stage though many patients have achieved favorable results.

The surgery takes about 2-3 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Recovery time may last a few weeks and pain medication may be prescribed for discomfort. The abdomen remains swollen and sore for few weeks and some scarring may be visible. You will need to stay on liquid diet for 2 weeks and thereafter 2 weeks of semi solid pureed food.

Usually after the surgery, an overall improvement in the general health of the patient is visible. Of course the gastric sleeve surgery is only a step in the journey towards weight loss and it is up to the patient to bring about lifestyle changes to maintain the ideal weight throughout his or her life.

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