A sleeve gastrectomy is a type of weight loss surgery where part of the stomach is surgically removed leaving a tube shaped stomach with a smaller holding capacity making the person feel full after consuming much less food.
The following explanation has been taken directly from the sleeve page on the OClinic website as it is describing the information from my doctor and for my experience:
The Sleeve Gastrectomy (also referred to as the Gastric Sleeve, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Partial Gastrectomy, or Tube Gastrectomy) is a relatively new procedure for weight loss. It involves the permanent removal of 85-90% of the stomach, performed under a General Anaesthetic using advanced laparoscopic keyhole surgery.
Although the physical size of the stomach is reduced, the normal direction of the food stream through the stomach and the rest of the intestinal tract is not altered. This means that all nutrients including vitamins, minerals and protein will continue to be absorbed normally. It simply reduces the holding capacity from about 1.5 litres of food and liquid to approximately 200mL. This allows a person to feel comfortably satisfied and full with a meal size approximately equivalent to a cup of food.
Typically, Sleeve Gastrectomy patients will have between 4-6 small meals per day, which is actually the ideal way to eat. Dietitians recommend small frequent meals as a way of avoiding big swings in Insulin levels and achieving a more even intake of calories as part of a healthier eating pattern.
Despite being smaller, the stomach sleeve still functions normally- food and nutrients continue to enter and leave in the same way, acid continues to be made to assist in digestion, and essential vitamins and minerals such as B12, calcium, folate and iron can be absorbed normally.
To find out more, please visit the OClinic website for procedure information, risks, suggested aftercare, videos of previous operations and other resources.
Varied information
In my research I found that different surgeons describe the procedure in different ways. Social media and related forums have a lot of people sharing, questioning and comparing every little thing with each other. The information is great, however can be confusing or conflicting if your experience is a little different.
Some of the differences I have noticed:
- Amount of stomach removed (75%, 80%, 85% or even 90%).
- I have seen photos and heard stories of people with a varied number of incisions on the belly (3, 4, 5).
- I have watched numerous videos of the actual operation as many doctors upload their work on YouTube and have seen different surgical techniques, tools and stapling methods.
- People are given varied requirements in relation to pre op diet from surgeons, nutritionists and dieticians - almost everyone I have spoken to has needed to be on Optifast diet pre op but the time they are on it is varied (4 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week, 2 days, 1 day).
- Costs of surgery, anaesthesiologists, etc
There are many more but you can see how there are variations in instructions, procedures and requirements.
If you are considering having this surgery or any other surgery, please choose your surgeon and before and after care professionals carefully. You will hear of horror stories and people with complications. People choosing the cheapest professional or choosing to ignore pre op diets and after surgery instructions. I know some complications are unexpected and sometimes unavoidable. Either way, you need to trust your surgeon and the people you are paying to take care of you. Please follow their instructions! They give them for a reason.
I hope this information is helpful. As always, any questions - please ask.
=)
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