One of the most common resolutions of the new year is a greater focus on one’s weight and health. A gastric sleeve could be one way to achieve those goals.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery, performed by a trained bariatric surgeon, is used to help patients reach weight and health goals by changing the size of the stomach. With a smaller stomach, the patient eats less because they become full sooner.

How is the Surgery Performed?

A gastric sleeve entails creating a number of small incisions in the abdomen. The bariatric surgeon will then use instruments and a camera – a laparoscopic process – to carefully remove portions of the stomach. They will insert a vertical sleeve, or tube, into the area. The procedure will be completed by stapling the stomach closed.

Gastric sleeve surgery may be performed in increments. Many patients are advised to get this procedure before having duodenal switch surgery. That is a process where the duodenum is connected to a lower portion of the small intestine. The completed surgery causes digested food to bypass much of the small intestine, resulting in fewer absorbed calories and weight loss.

Who is Eligible for a Gastric Sleeve?

In general, this procedure is for anyone with a body mass index that is higher than 40. It is also a process for any patient with a body mass index of 35 who also suffers from a weight related illness.

The background of these patients will be looked at to determine if dieting has been tried without success.

What are the Benefits?

• With a smaller stomach, patients can eat what they usually did but will do so in smaller quantities.
• A gastric sleeve is a medically-approved, reliable and rapid way to lose weight and keep it off, improving both appearance and health.
• The process will not require patients to undergo the lifestyle adjustments associated with similar procedures.

How Effective is the Gastric Sleeve?

Patients who have had the procedure are known to, on average, lose over half their excess weight, although results do vary. The level of success grows with patients holding realistic expectations of how much weight they will lose and patients who maintain follow-ups with their doctors, manage the recommended diet plan developed with their dietitian, and engage in physical activity.

The gastric sleeve could be instrumental in optimistically ensuring you manage your weight and health goals in the new year.