Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric Sleeve has become one of the most popular bariatric surgeries because of many benefits it offers over other procedures. Gastric sleeve in India has become very popular because the low cost and is attracting many people from Western and non-western countries alike. Not only the cost of sleeve gastrectomy surgery in India is low, the hospitals are at par with western countries, Indian surgeons are among the best bariatric surgeons in the world and language is never a barrier. Besides, you can get to explore a beautiful country like India. No wonder, medical tourism in India for bariatric surgery is witnessing a sharp rise!

Overview
Gastric sleeve surgery is the weight loss surgery which works by resecting a major portion of the stomach by creating a “sleeve” or banana shaped pouch without disrupting normal connections with oesophagus and small intestine. Contrary to other bariatric procedures gastric sleeve does not cause change in order of digestive system, the result of which is lower complication rates and less malabsorption with fast recovery. It works by limiting the amount of food that can be consumed. Gastric Sleeve or Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery works through two very efficient mechanisms. On one hand, it makes the stomach smaller, so that the patient feels full soon after eating a smaller portion. Secondly, the fundus of the stomach is removed. The fundus is the area that secretes ghrelin, the hormone that makes a person feel hungry. Thus, this surgery helps the patient feel less hungry through a hormonal mechanism, which in turn helps in reducing calorie intake, and thus, finally leads to massive weight loss.

Advantages of Gastric sleeve
Gastric sleeve has certain advantages over other bariatric surgery procedures, which include:

1. Lesser cost than other procedures
2. Fewer complications such as malabsorption and vitamin deficiency compared to other bariatric procedures
3. Yields similar results to other bariatric procedures
4. Control of co-morbid condition is equally good
5. Sustaining the order of digestive tract ensures reduced risk of ulcers and GERD

Candidates
You are a good candidate for sleeve gastrectomy if you are more than 100 pounds above your ideal body weight or are 80 pounds overweight and have obesity related problems such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc..

Procedure
The procedure is done laparoscopically. 2 to 5 small incisions are made on the abdomen to pass the instruments into the abdomen. A sleeve is created with the anatomy of the stomach. The remaining stomach is stapled using surgical staples. The procedure lasts for 60 to 90 minutes.

Recovery
You would stay at the hospital for 2-3 days after the surgery to monitor your recovery. You may feel some discomfort after the procedure, which would be taken care with medications. The surgeon and dietician will give you a diet regimen starting with instructions for sipping plain water, which needs to be followed properly for smooth recovery.

Expected Results
Most patients can expect to lose 50 to 80% of their excess body weight over a 6 – 12 month period with gastric sleeve surgery.

Time
The stay at hospital after a sleeve gastrectomy surgery or gastric sleeve is generally two to three days. Typically, it’ll be about a week to ten days before you can go back to work, and about a month to six weeks before you can start exercising again. A total of 10 days of stay in India would be required to avail sleeve gastrectomy surgery in India.