What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Why is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Performed?
1. Being Overweight
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery helps overweight or morbidly obese individuals lose weight permanently and healthily. This surgery reduces the volume of the stomach, allowing patients to feel full with less food. Weight loss occurs most rapidly in the first 12-18 months after surgery. Patients can usually lose 50-70% of their excess weight after surgery.
2. Improving Obesity-Related Health Problems
Obesity can bring about many serious health problems. Gastric sleeve surgery can help control or completely cure these diseases. The weight loss that the surgery provides directly contributes to the improvement of these health problems.
3. Improving the Quality of Life
Obesity negatively affects quality of life by restricting daily activities. Sleeve gastrectomy surgery helps patients live a more active life, participate more easily in social life, and feel better physically. Weight loss allows patients to move more comfortably, increase their work performance, and gain self-confidence.
4. When Other Weight Loss Methods Fail
Gastric sleeve surgery is usually considered a last resort for individuals who have not been successful with diet, exercise and medication treatments. If a person cannot achieve permanent weight loss with diet and exercise or continues to have health problems, gastric sleeve surgery can be an effective solution.
5. Controlling Metabolic Diseases
Gastric sleeve surgery may also be effective in treating obesity-related metabolic diseases such as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and excess belly fat. Surgery can help control these problems and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases.
6. Preventing Life-Threatening Obesity-Related Complications
Morbid obesity is a serious health problem that shortens life expectancy. Fatal diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer are closely related to obesity. Sleeve gastrectomy surgery can extend the life expectancy of patients and improve their general health by reducing the risk of developing these diseases.
7. It is a Simpler and Less Risky Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is considered a simpler operation compared to other bariatric surgery methods. This surgery only reduces the volume of the stomach and does not interfere with the small intestines. This makes the risk of complications lower. In addition, since nutrient absorption is less affected after surgery, the risk of nutritional deficiencies is also lower compared to surgeries such as gastric bypass.
Who is Suitable for Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve gastrectomy) is a bariatric surgery method performed to help overweight individuals lose weight. However, this surgery is not suitable for every person with obesity. Suitability for sleeve gastrectomy surgery is determined by factors such as the patient's body mass index (BMI), obesity-related health problems, and general health status. Here are the suitability criteria for sleeve gastrectomy surgery:
1. Body Mass Index (BMI)
One of the most basic suitability criteria for sleeve gastrectomy surgery is the person's body mass index (BMI). BMI is a value obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of their height. People with a BMI in the following range may be considered suitable for gastric sleeve surgery:
- People with a BMI of 40 and above: These people are considered morbidly obese and are usually direct candidates for gastric sleeve surgery.
- People with a BMI of 35-40: These people are classified as obese and may be suitable for surgery if they have serious health problems related to obesity (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease).
2. Health Problems Related to Obesity
Gastric sleeve surgery is performed to alleviate or treat health problems caused by obesity. If a person has one or more of the following health problems, gastric sleeve surgery may be considered:
- Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes, which develops due to obesity, can be controlled or completely cured after surgery.
- Hypertension: Weight loss can help lower high blood pressure and reduce the need for hypertension medications.
- Sleep Apnea: Weight loss can relieve breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
- High Cholesterol: High cholesterol, which develops due to obesity, can return to normal levels with weight loss.
- Joint Pain and Musculoskeletal Problems: Excess weight puts a strain on the joints and musculoskeletal system. Weight loss can relieve such pain.
3. People Who Cannot Lose Weight with Diet and Exercise
Gastric sleeve surgery is usually considered for people who have not been successful with traditional weight loss methods such as diet, exercise and medication. If a person has tried many different methods to lose weight but has not achieved long-term success, gastric sleeve surgery may be an effective option.
4. People Who Can Adapt to Post-Operative Lifestyle Changes
Gastric sleeve surgery is only a tool for losing weight; it is very important to adapt to post-operative lifestyle changes for long-term success. Therefore, people who are suitable for surgery:
- Must be willing to adopt a healthy diet.
- Must be willing to do regular physical activity.
- Must be willing to take vitamin and mineral supplements regularly.
- Must have the motivation to comply with regular doctor check-ups and follow-up after surgery.
5. People Between the Ages of 18-65
In general, sleeve gastrectomy surgery is suitable for individuals between the ages of 18-65. However, in some special cases, people under the age of 18 or over the age of 65 are also considered for surgery. In particular, the decision to perform surgery may be made by the surgeon's evaluation in younger or older individuals with serious health problems.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Videos
How is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Performed?
1. Preparation and Anesthesia
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is performed under general anesthesia, meaning the patient is completely asleep during the surgery and does not feel any pain. After the patient's health status is evaluated before the surgery, the necessary preparations are made:
Anaesthesia Application: The patient is put to sleep with general anesthesia so that they remain asleep throughout the surgery.
Preparation of the Surgery Area: The abdominal area is cleaned and sterilized. The surgeon makes small incisions to perform the surgery.
2. Laparoscopic Intervention (Closed Surgery Method)
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is usually performed laparoscopically. This method is a minimally invasive technique and is performed through several small incisions in the abdomen. Special instruments and a camera (laparoscope) are inserted through these small incisions. The camera allows the surgeon to see the inside of the abdomen on a screen, so surgery can be performed without the need for a large incision. The laparoscopic method is less invasive, which speeds up the recovery process and reduces the risk of complications.
3. Cutting and Removing the Stomach
The most important stage of the surgery is the removal of a large portion of the stomach. The surgeon follows these steps:
Stomach Reshaping: Approximately 75-80% of the stomach is surgically cut and removed. All that remains is a thin, tube-shaped stomach. This stomach pouch is about the size of a banana and allows the person to feel full quickly by consuming less food.
Stapling: After the stomach is cut, titanium staples are used to close the remaining portion. These staples securely connect the two ends of the stomach and close the stomach. The stitching line is checked to ensure tightness and increase its security.
4. Leak Test
A leak test is done to check for any leaks where the stomach is cut and stapled shut. This test involves injecting some fluid into the stomach to check if any fluid leaks from the stitch line. A leak test is important to prevent complications after surgery.
5. Closing of the Incision Sites
After the surgery is completed, small incisions in the abdomen are closed. Since the incisions made in the laparoscopic method are usually small, they are closed with stitches or surgical tapes. These incisions close quickly during the healing process and the post-operative scars are minimal.
6. Completion of the Surgery and the Recovery Process
After the surgery is completed, the patient is slowly awakened from anesthesia. After the patient wakes up due to general anesthesia, they are kept under observation in a recovery room for a while. The recovery process after anesthesia can vary from person to person, but the patient usually returns to full consciousness within a few hours.
How Long Does Gastric Sleeve Surgery Take?
Post-Operative Recovery Process
1. Hospital Stay
After gastric sleeve surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for 1-3 days. During this period, they will be under the supervision of the surgical team and will be monitored for post-operative complications. During this period, attention is paid to the patient's fluid intake and pain management is provided.
2. Fluid and Nutrition Plan
For the first few days after surgery, the patient is fed only liquid foods. This process usually goes through the following stages:
- Liquid Diet: The first few days are spent on a completely liquid diet (water, clear soups, water-based drinks).
- Puree and Soft Foods: After the first few weeks, the patient can switch to pureed foods.
- Transition to Solid Foods: Solid foods are switched to 1-2 months after surgery. During this process, the nutritionist prepares a suitable diet plan for the patient, and sticking to this plan is very important for the success of the surgery.
3. Pain and Discomfort
Patients may usually feel mild pain after surgery, but this pain can usually be controlled with painkillers. Additionally, you may feel discomfort or swelling in the stomach area, which is normal and will disappear with the healing process.
4. Physical Activity
Patients are encouraged to rest for the first few weeks after surgery. However, light walking is recommended after a few days. Gradually returning to normal activity levels can speed up recovery. More strenuous exercise and physical activity requires a doctor's approval.
