Gastric Sleeve
Gastric Sleeve
Obesity is considered a modern-day disease, and its negative effects may vary on individuals. However, they all share the common outcome of reducing the quality of life for the affected person and impacting his overall health and ability to perform daily activities.
Different bariatric surgeries are the optimal solution for those who:
• Suffer from severe obesity.
• Have tried numerous weight loss methods, such as diets and exercise, without success.
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30-35 or higher.
There is a wide variety of bariatric surgeries, each employing different techniques tailored to individual cases of obesity. Examples of bariatric surgeries include:
• Gastric Sleeve surgery.
• Gastric Bypass surgery.
• SADI-S surgery.
In this article, we will focus on gastric sleeve surgery.
What is gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most renowned bariatric surgeries in Egypt. The goal is to eliminate excess weight by removing a portion of the stomach, thus reducing its capacity to accommodate food. Additionally, the removed portion is responsible for producing the hunger hormone (ghrelin), resulting in weight loss through:
• Reducing the size of the stomach, thus limiting the amount of food a patient can consume at one time.
• Decreasing the feeling of hunger, thereby reducing the frequency of meals.
What is the minimum weight for gastric sleeve surgery?
The weight alone is not the primary factor in determining whether the person needs gastric sleeve surgery or not. The determining factor is the body mass index (BMI), calculated by dividing weight by height squared. An ideal candidate for gastric sleeve surgery would have:
• A BMI above 35.
• A BMI of 30 - 35, and serious health issues caused by obesity, such as heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, sleep apnea, and other obesity-related diseases.
Types of Gastric Sleeve Surgeries:
Various methods and techniques are used in gastric sleeve surgeries, and the surgeon determines the most appropriate method for each case based on diagnosis and examinations. The types of gastric sleeve surgeries include:
• Banded gastric sleeve.
• Bikini line gastric sleeve.
• Single-port gastric sleeve.
• Mini-gastric sleeve.
Benefits and Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
Like any surgical procedure, gastric sleeve surgery has advantages and disadvantages that the patient must discuss with Dr. Ahmed Abd El Salam before deciding.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
The benefits of gastric sleeve surgery are immediate and permanent weight loss, restoring overall body health, and eliminating obesity-related diseases.
Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
Gastric sleeve surgery is considered a safe procedure, and complications are rare, occurring in approximately 1% of cases. These can be avoided by choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon specializing in bariatric surgeries. Possible complications include:
• The possibility of gastric leakage, but Dr. Ahmed Abd El Salam reduces its incidence by using the latest American staplers, and adding an external surgical stitches over the stomach, while conducting a leakage test inside the operating room, with performing tests and x-rays before the surgery to confirm the health and strength of the patient’s healing.
• Continuous vomiting, which is rare with the Identical Sleeve technique.
• Esophageal reflux, and we prevent its occurrence with antacid medications during the post-operative period, along with periodic follow-ups and planned diets.
• Malnutrition, so you must adhere to the prescribed nutritional supplements and vitamins for 6 months after the surgery.
Dietary Guidelines After Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
The body requires a transitional period after gastric sleeve surgery for the digestive system to heal and for the stomach to accommodate its new size. Therefore, patients need to follow a specific diet after the surgery, which will be explained in detail by the doctor. The post-surgery diet is divided into five stages.
• Stage 1: During the first 5 days after gastric sleeve surgery, the patient should consume only clear liquids, such as anise, mint, carob, unsweetened jelly, and fat-free soup.
• Stage 2: From day 5 till day 10 after gastric sleeve surgery, the patient can consume non-clear liquids, such as natural unsweetened fruit juice like apple juice, skimmed milk, and light soups like tomato soup.
• Stage 3: From day 10 till day 15 after gastric sleeve surgery, the patient begins to eat well-mashed foods that are easy to swallow, such as yoghurt, cottage cheese, boiled eggs, pureed vegetables and fruits, and light fish. Also, he can consume soft foods such as well-cooked meats and legumes.
• Stage 4: After 21 days following the surgery, the patient can gradually return to a regular diet. However, it is important to:
• Avoid spicy foods, processed meats, and high-fat foods.
• Consume meals in small portions and reduce the amount of food per meal.
• Drink water one hour before eating or half an hour after.
Important Tips After Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
• Adhere to the post- surgical prescribed medications, such as antibiotics and pain relievers, to ensure a complication-free recovery.
• Follow the prescribed vitamin and nutritional supplements for at least 6 months.
• Perform simple exercise such as walking two weeks after the surgery, then resistance training after a month, and avoid strenuous physical activities or intense exercise for the first 6 months after the surgery.
• Pay attention to staying hydrated and avoid dehydration.
• Follow the recommended eating schedule after the gastric sleeve surgery, and avoid prohibited foods.
• Focus on the food, including essential nutrients such as proteins, healthy fats, and fibers.
• Divide meals into small, frequent portions to prevent the stomach from stretching and regaining its original size.
What is the difference between a gastric sleeve and a stomach cut?
There is no difference between gastric sleeve and stomach cut. Both terms refer to the same procedure, which involves:
• Gastrectomy, because it involves cutting and removing about 70% of the stomach’s volume.
• Sleeved stomach, as the shape of the stomach after the procedure resembles a sleeve.
What is the difference between a gastric sleeve and a gastric bypass?
Both procedures aim to address excess weight and related health issues, but the differences between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass include:
• Ideal candidates: Gastric sleeve surgery is suitable for patients who struggle with the amount of food they eat, while gastric bypass is more appropriate for patients who struggle with sugar consumption, especially in cases of diabetes.
• Technique: Gastric sleeve surgery is removing approximately 70% of the stomach, while gastric bypass involves creating a pouch in the stomach and rerouting the food pathway directly to the intestines after bypassing its first part.
• Nutritional supplements: Patients undergoing gastric bypass may require longer-term vitamin supplementation compared to gastric sleeve surgery.
• Resolution of type 2 diabetes: Gastric bypass surgery has a higher likelihood of resolving type 2 diabetes compared to gastric sleeve surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery is an effective surgical solution for weight loss aided by modern techniques such as the Fast Track technique, which allows patients to quickly and safely regain their health and improve their quality of life. Dr. Ahmed Abd El Salam, Assistant Professor of General and Laparoscopic Surgery and Consultant in Bariatric Surgery, Kasr El-Ainy Faculty of Medicine helps his patients overcome excess weight using these advanced techniques.
Different bariatric surgeries are the optimal solution for those who:
• Suffer from severe obesity.
• Have tried numerous weight loss methods, such as diets and exercise, without success.
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30-35 or higher.
There is a wide variety of bariatric surgeries, each employing different techniques tailored to individual cases of obesity. Examples of bariatric surgeries include:
• Gastric Sleeve surgery.
• Gastric Bypass surgery.
• SADI-S surgery.
In this article, we will focus on gastric sleeve surgery.
What is gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most renowned bariatric surgeries in Egypt. The goal is to eliminate excess weight by removing a portion of the stomach, thus reducing its capacity to accommodate food. Additionally, the removed portion is responsible for producing the hunger hormone (ghrelin), resulting in weight loss through:
• Reducing the size of the stomach, thus limiting the amount of food a patient can consume at one time.
• Decreasing the feeling of hunger, thereby reducing the frequency of meals.
What is the minimum weight for gastric sleeve surgery?
The weight alone is not the primary factor in determining whether the person needs gastric sleeve surgery or not. The determining factor is the body mass index (BMI), calculated by dividing weight by height squared. An ideal candidate for gastric sleeve surgery would have:
• A BMI above 35.
• A BMI of 30 - 35, and serious health issues caused by obesity, such as heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, sleep apnea, and other obesity-related diseases.
Types of Gastric Sleeve Surgeries:
Various methods and techniques are used in gastric sleeve surgeries, and the surgeon determines the most appropriate method for each case based on diagnosis and examinations. The types of gastric sleeve surgeries include:
• Banded gastric sleeve.
• Bikini line gastric sleeve.
• Single-port gastric sleeve.
• Mini-gastric sleeve.
Benefits and Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
Like any surgical procedure, gastric sleeve surgery has advantages and disadvantages that the patient must discuss with Dr. Ahmed Abd El Salam before deciding.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
The benefits of gastric sleeve surgery are immediate and permanent weight loss, restoring overall body health, and eliminating obesity-related diseases.
Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
Gastric sleeve surgery is considered a safe procedure, and complications are rare, occurring in approximately 1% of cases. These can be avoided by choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon specializing in bariatric surgeries. Possible complications include:
• The possibility of gastric leakage, but Dr. Ahmed Abd El Salam reduces its incidence by using the latest American staplers, and adding an external surgical stitches over the stomach, while conducting a leakage test inside the operating room, with performing tests and x-rays before the surgery to confirm the health and strength of the patient’s healing.
• Continuous vomiting, which is rare with the Identical Sleeve technique.
• Esophageal reflux, and we prevent its occurrence with antacid medications during the post-operative period, along with periodic follow-ups and planned diets.
• Malnutrition, so you must adhere to the prescribed nutritional supplements and vitamins for 6 months after the surgery.
Dietary Guidelines After Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
The body requires a transitional period after gastric sleeve surgery for the digestive system to heal and for the stomach to accommodate its new size. Therefore, patients need to follow a specific diet after the surgery, which will be explained in detail by the doctor. The post-surgery diet is divided into five stages.
• Stage 1: During the first 5 days after gastric sleeve surgery, the patient should consume only clear liquids, such as anise, mint, carob, unsweetened jelly, and fat-free soup.
• Stage 2: From day 5 till day 10 after gastric sleeve surgery, the patient can consume non-clear liquids, such as natural unsweetened fruit juice like apple juice, skimmed milk, and light soups like tomato soup.
• Stage 3: From day 10 till day 15 after gastric sleeve surgery, the patient begins to eat well-mashed foods that are easy to swallow, such as yoghurt, cottage cheese, boiled eggs, pureed vegetables and fruits, and light fish. Also, he can consume soft foods such as well-cooked meats and legumes.
• Stage 4: After 21 days following the surgery, the patient can gradually return to a regular diet. However, it is important to:
• Avoid spicy foods, processed meats, and high-fat foods.
• Consume meals in small portions and reduce the amount of food per meal.
• Drink water one hour before eating or half an hour after.
Important Tips After Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
• Adhere to the post- surgical prescribed medications, such as antibiotics and pain relievers, to ensure a complication-free recovery.
• Follow the prescribed vitamin and nutritional supplements for at least 6 months.
• Perform simple exercise such as walking two weeks after the surgery, then resistance training after a month, and avoid strenuous physical activities or intense exercise for the first 6 months after the surgery.
• Pay attention to staying hydrated and avoid dehydration.
• Follow the recommended eating schedule after the gastric sleeve surgery, and avoid prohibited foods.
• Focus on the food, including essential nutrients such as proteins, healthy fats, and fibers.
• Divide meals into small, frequent portions to prevent the stomach from stretching and regaining its original size.
What is the difference between a gastric sleeve and a stomach cut?
There is no difference between gastric sleeve and stomach cut. Both terms refer to the same procedure, which involves:
• Gastrectomy, because it involves cutting and removing about 70% of the stomach’s volume.
• Sleeved stomach, as the shape of the stomach after the procedure resembles a sleeve.
What is the difference between a gastric sleeve and a gastric bypass?
Both procedures aim to address excess weight and related health issues, but the differences between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass include:
• Ideal candidates: Gastric sleeve surgery is suitable for patients who struggle with the amount of food they eat, while gastric bypass is more appropriate for patients who struggle with sugar consumption, especially in cases of diabetes.
• Technique: Gastric sleeve surgery is removing approximately 70% of the stomach, while gastric bypass involves creating a pouch in the stomach and rerouting the food pathway directly to the intestines after bypassing its first part.
• Nutritional supplements: Patients undergoing gastric bypass may require longer-term vitamin supplementation compared to gastric sleeve surgery.
• Resolution of type 2 diabetes: Gastric bypass surgery has a higher likelihood of resolving type 2 diabetes compared to gastric sleeve surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery is an effective surgical solution for weight loss aided by modern techniques such as the Fast Track technique, which allows patients to quickly and safely regain their health and improve their quality of life. Dr. Ahmed Abd El Salam, Assistant Professor of General and Laparoscopic Surgery and Consultant in Bariatric Surgery, Kasr El-Ainy Faculty of Medicine helps his patients overcome excess weight using these advanced techniques.
