One of the most applied surgical procedures today is gastric sleeve surgery, commonly known as “stomach reduction surgery.”
In sleeve gastrectomy, doctors turn the stomach into a long, thin tube like a banana. They remove by cutting 80 percent of the stomach with laparoscopic, that is, closed surgery. Thus, they restrict the stomach’s food intake. In addition, sleeve gastrectomy surgery reduces food absorption, although at a deficient level.
Can Gastric Sleeve Surgery Be Applied To Everyone With Weight Problems?
- Those who have gastric sleeve surgery have to meet the following conditions:
- Those with a body mass index over 40 kg/m² (morbidly obese, severely obese).
- Those with a BMI between 35 and 40 and with problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to obesity are considered morbidly obese and may need to undergo gastric reduction surgery.
- In addition, patients with obesity-related “new” type 2 diabetes and metabolism disorders and BMI between 30 and 35 can be operated on with the decision of the obesity doctor.
- Obesity surgeries are not performed for aesthetic purposes, that is, to make the person look weaker.
Until What Age Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Performed?
Gastric sleeve surgery is performed on people between 18-65. For the person to be a suitable candidate for gastric surgery, the Body Mass Index (BMI) values determined by the World Health Organization must be 35 and above.
For people under 18, the presence of the diseases mentioned above and the degree of obesity are essential, and parental approval and the physician’s decision are required.
For people over 65, the health status and the necessity of surgery (the person’s weight-related problems and problems) are evaluated.
Is There Any Pain After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is performed laparoscopically, that is, with tiny incisions by piercing the abdomen. These incisions are millimetric.
This closed surgery method can also be performed with a ‘da Vinci robot,’ that is, robotic surgery. In robotic surgery, the doctor who controls the arms of the robot and the specialists accompanying him perform the surgery.
What is the normalization process after stomach reduction surgery?
Since the abdominal muscles and membranes are not cut in laparoscopic surgeries, there is no severe pain after the surgery. After the operation, the patient is given painkillers.
Those with gastric sleeve surgery start walking in the evening of the day of surgery and usually do not have severe pain on the second day. The patient may feel tension and pressure on the first day, which is relieved with painkillers.
How Much Weight Do Those Who Have Gastric Sleeve Surgery Surgery Lose?
Those who have gastric sleeve surgery lose 60 percent of their excess weight five years after the operation. This method is almost as effective as gastric bypass for weight loss. Since the absorption disorder is less than a bypass, continuous vitamin and mineral support is required after sleeve gastrectomy surgery.
If sleeve gastrectomy surgery loses its effect in the long term and weight regains, gastric bypass is preferred for the following surgical method.
Can Weight Gain Again After Surgery?
The rate of regaining weight after sleeve gastrectomy surgery is around 15%. It is possible to become morbidly obese again, with a 5-10% probability despite the operation. For this reason, close follow-up of the patient by specialists is of great importance to prevent those who have had sleeve gastrectomy surgery from gaining weight again.
Those who have gastric sleeve surgery are closely followed by the obesity team, which includes dietitians and psychologists. With this approach, which aims to follow the patient for life, support is provided against situations that may cause the patient to gain weight or affect his health.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Robotic Surgery
If the general surgeon recommends an operation for weight control, this may mean that the person may be a candidate for bariatric surgery performed with robotic surgery. The robot ‘da Vinci’s procedure is called ‘robot-assisted laparoscopy surgery.’
With the da Vinci robot, the specialist can intervene in the patient with tiny incisions. Many operations can be performed on morbidly obese patients with the robotic surgery method, which is used in many fields of medicine, from urology to heart surgery, from gynecology to general surgery.