Overview

Gastric Sleeve Surgery, also referred as Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a surgical weight-loss procedure that facilitates the removal of some parts of your stomach leading to less hunger and eventually weight loss.

By reducing the size of your stomach, the amount of food you are able to consume is restricted, which leads to weight loss. The procedure also prompts hormonal changes that assist with weight loss, and help relieve conditions associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

The Gastric Sleeve Surgery method is applied for those patients, all other methods such like diet, exercise, don’t give them required results. This method helps them to lose 70 percent of their excess weight.

This procedure is commonly practiced laparoscopically, which is done by inserting small instruments through multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen.

 

How does Gastric Sleeve Surgery differ from Liposuction?

Liposuction is a purely ‘Cosmetic’ Procedure where excess fat deposits under the skin are sucked out through small cuts. This procedure is performed only for the purpose of body shaping/contouring. People having excess fat deposits in one or two areas of the body, especially stubborn fat can undergo liposuction. However, a person undergoing liposuction must not expect any major weight loss.

While as Gastric Sleeve Surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, instead of that, it is performed to achieve weight-loss by removal of some parts of your stomach. 

Why Gastric Sleeve Surgery is done?

Gastric Sleeve surgery is done to help you lose extra weight and decrease your risk of weight-related health problems, such as:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Cancer
• Infertility
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stroke

 

How can I know if I am a good candidate for Gastric Sleeve?

Commonly, a good candidate for gastric Sleeve surgery might have the following factors:

• Body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity).
• BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and has a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.

In addition to the mentioned, you must be willing to make permanent changes to gain a healthier lifestyle. You may be required to participate in long-term follow-up plans that include monitoring your nutrition, your lifestyle and behaviour, and your medical conditions.

Make an enquiry with your health insurance provider or regional Medicare or Medicaid office to know if your health poly includes weight-loss surgery.

 

How to prepare?

In the weeks before your surgery, you may be asked to engage in some physical activity programs and to avoid any tobacco use.

Right before your surgery procedure, you will be advised to keep restrictions on both eating and drinking and which medications you can have.

 

What happens in Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric Sleeve surgery is done in the hospital. You will be able to leave the hospital in one or two nights based on your recovery.

Before the surgery

The surgical team including clinical dietician and a psychologist will evaluate your medical condition. They will take your complete medical and surgical history.  You will be required to do series of preoperative blood tests and x-rays to ensure your fitness for surgery.

The surgeon will give you details regarding the benefits, potential risks, and recovery care after the surgery.

 

During the surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery is done under general anaesthesia, to keep you asleep and comfortable during surgery.

Your surgery techniques is fixed based on your individual condition and the hospital’s or doctor’s practices. Some gastric sleeve surgeries are done making traditional large (open) incisions in the abdomen. However, it is typically performed laparoscopically, which involves inserting small instruments through multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen.

To perform the surgery, the surgeon will create a narrow sleeve by stapling the stomach vertically and removing the larger, curved part of the stomach.

Surgery usually lasts in one to two hours. After the procedure, you will be shifted to a recovery room, where medical team observes you for any complications.

 

After the surgery

You will be required to stay at the hospital for 2-3 days before being discharged.

There will be pain during recovery; each person’s pain experiences may be different. Bowel movements may be difficult or painful. Constipation is present the first week post-operative.

You have to avoid lifting anything heavy. For the reduced calorie consumption, you may experience fatigued and tired for up to a month after surgery. Experts advise to have liquids at regular periods to avoid dehydration.

 

After effects of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

For the first seven days after Gastric Sleeve, your diet should be sugar-free, noncarbonated liquids. Then it is possible to be progressed to pureed foods for three weeks and finally to regular foods approximately four weeks after your surgery.

Keep in mind the following:

• Before being swallowed, everything must be chewed thoroughly.
• Avoid drinking while you eat, as this might affect your new stomach to overfill.
• Have liquids a half-hour after finishing a meal.
• Don’t’ drink high-calorie sodas and snacking.
• Use vitamin and mineral supplements every day.

You will be advised to have a multivitamin twice a day, a calcium supplement once a day, and a vitamin B-12 injection once a month for life.

You'll asked to undergo with frequent medical check-ups to observe your health in the first several months after weight-loss surgery. You may require laboratory testing, blood work and various exams for ensure your complete medical health.

You may feel some changes as your body reacts to the rapid weight loss in the first three to six months after gastric sleeve, such like:

• Mood changes
• Hair thinning and hair loss
• Body aches
• Feeling tired, as if you have the flu
• Feeling cold
• Dry skin

 

What are the risks and complications?

As with any major surgery, gastric sleeve causes potential health risks, both in the short term and long term.

Common risks from gastric sleeve are as following:

• Excessive bleeding
• Lung or breathing problems
• Leaks from the cut edge of the stomach
• Infection
• Adverse reactions to anaesthesia
• Blood clots

Long-term risks and complications are as following:

• Malnutrition
• Vomiting
• Gastrointestinal obstruction
• Hernias
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Very rarely, complications of sleeve gastrectomy can be fatal.

 

What are the results of gastric sleeve?

Gastric Sleeve can offer long-term weight loss. By making accurate changes in life-style habits, you can gain a large amount of weight loss. Within two years, it is possible to lose approximately 60%, or even more, of your excess weight.

As result of weight loss, Gastric Sleeve may enhance or resolve conditions caused to being overweight, such like:

• Stroke
• Infertility
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Type 2 diabetes

Gastric Sleeve surgery can also strengthen your ability to engage in routine daily activities, and can help increase your quality of life.

 

Why Gastric Sleeve Surgery doesn't work?

There is possibility to do not lose required weight or to regain weight after gastric sleeve surgery, if you:

• Do not follow the required lifestyle changes.
• Having frequently snack on high-calorie foods.
• Do not make permanent healthy changes in your diet and do not engage in regular physical activity and exercise.

It's required to undergo with all of your scheduled follow-up appointments after gastric sleeve surgery, so that your doctor can observe your progress. If you aren't losing weight or you develop risks and complications after your surgery, visit your doctor immediately.

 

Expert Doctors For you:

1. Dr. Bulent Cihantimur

Cosmetic Surgeon

Estetik International Health Group, Turkey

 

Dr. Bülent Cihantimur, known as DoctorB, who is a world-popular plastic and reconstructive surgeon, graduated from Istanbul University Çapa Faculty of Medicine, Bülent Cihantimur, MD specialized in Plastic Surgery at Uludağ University. As the result of years of hard work and dedication, his techniques and skills earned him much awards in the past 20 years such as, The Golden Bistoury Award, The World’s Best Plastic Surgeon and Medical Man of the Year Award in 2014.

He treats patients from all over the world and is a member of a variety of social organizations including ISAPS.

 

2. Dr. Jale Özdemir

Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Estetik International Health Group, Istanbul

 

Dr. Jale Ozdemir is an Aesthetics, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgeon having more than 14+ experience from Istanbul, Turkey. She is an expert in Abdominoplasty, Liposuction, Gynecomastia, Otoplasty, Buccal Fat Removal, etc. She is graduated from Yeni Yuzyil University Medical School, followed by post-graduation from the reputed Kocaeli University Medical School, Istanbul University.

 

She is a member of the Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Association, Turkish Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.

 

3. Op. Dr. Alp Ercan

Plastic Surgeon

Memorial Atasehir Hospital, Turkey

 

Op. Dr. Alp Ercan is one of the most successful Plastic Surgeon in Turkey, who has an experience of more than 10 years. Dr. Alp has been associated with numerous reputed hospitals in Turkey, over the period of his prosperous and experienced career.

 

Dr. Alp has obtained Professional Memberships in European Association of Plastic Surgeons, Board Certification, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and Accreditation of Foreigner Medical Graduates, The USA ECFMG Certified 2018 - USA.

 

4. Op. Dr. Turab İsmayilov

Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Hospital: Medistanbul Hospital, Turkey

Op. Dr. Turab İsmayilov is one of the most successful physicians in Turkey, especially in closed rhinoplasty surgery, Liposuction (Fat Removal) Operations and Body Shaping operations.

 

Op. Dr. İsmayilov aims to offer the best treatment with the best experiences to his patients. As he is very careful in matters, such as, post-operative scarring or pain relief, so, he generally keeps on working for closed operations. Medical studies show that wounding, growing and agony after shut activities are limited compared to open operations.

 

5. Op Dr Azer Zeynalov

Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon

Clinic Expert, Turkey

 

Op Dr Azer Zeynalov is one of the most popular plastic surgeons in Turkey, with more than 10 years of experience in the field. He graduated from Plastic Surgery Department Bezmialem Foundation University, and Medical School Azerbaijan Medical University

 

Op Dr Azer has participated in numerous seminars conducted in plastic and aesthetic surgery related topics, such as, National Wound Care Congress (2013), Turkish Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association National Congress (2015), Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Association National Congress (2016),  Plastic Surgery Assistant School (2016), Türk Plastic, Aesthetic Procedures Course without Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association (2017).

 

6. Op. Dr. Attila Hacilar

Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon

Clinic Expert, Turkey

 

Op. Dr. Attila Hacilar is renowned Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist in Turkey, with more than 16 years of success full experience. He completed his graduation from Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine in 1995, Op. Dr. in 2001, obtained his specialty at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the gastric sleeve surgery work?

The surgery decreases the amount of food intake, by considerably reducing the size of the stomach. After gastric sleeve surgery a patient will be able to consume only 1/10 of the amount of food, he or she was used to prior to surgery.

 

2. What is BMI?

The body mass index is a method of measuring the level of obesity, depending on the height and weight of a person.

 

3. Is pregnancy is possible after Gastric sleeve surgery?

In case of most woman, the pregnancy is possible after a gastric sleeve surgery, the procedure itself can help in case, infertility was related to obesity. However, it is recommended to postpone a pregnancy for 18 months after the surgery and to allow the body to stabilize weight for healthy pregnancy.

 

4. What are the results of Gastric sleeve surgery?

It is expected to lose between 50 and 80 percent excess body weight within the first year following surgery. A normal weight should be achieved within 2 years.

 

5. When can I return to work after surgery?

You can return in 2 to 4 weeks depending on the type of job. Most people return after 4 to 6 weeks.

 

6. Is gastric sleeve surgery is covered by insurance?

Gastric Sleeve Surgery is considered as a medically necessary procedure and is often covered by insurance. Make an enquiry with your insurance company about the possible plans for you.