Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Safe?

One of the best ways of losing weight and overcoming obesity is through bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is a general word that involves removing and reducing the size of the stomach and leads to rapid weight loss. Gastric sleeve or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, which is one type of bariatric surgery, is a common procedure that makes people lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach. In this article, we will take a look at gastric sleeve surgery and its complication to know whether this method is safe to use.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery or sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most common slimming surgeries that makes an oversize or obese person lose their appetite and change the size by removing a part of the stomach. In this method, the surgeon removes about 60% to 80% of the stomach volume, which is responsible for releasing the hunger hormone (ghrelin). After the surgery, the stomach can hold about 4 ounces or 120 milliliters of food. This amount is much less than the amount a normal stomach can usually hold.

How is Gastric Sleeve Surgery done?

Gastric sleeve surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It is usually done by laparoscopy; therefore, the incisions on the abdomen would be very small and it can be considered as a minimally invasive procedure.

In this method, the problems inside the abdomen and pelvis can be solved without the need for large incisions. In this method, a thin tube is inserted into the abdomen through small incisions. The tube has a light and a tiny camera in addition to other required instruments. Open surgery or laparotomy can also be practiced for this surgery.

Gastric sleeve surgery removes about 80 percent of the outer curved part of the stomach. As a result of this surgery, the stomach will be shaped like a sleeve or banana that is only about 20 percent of its original size. After the surgery, the patient is expected to lose weight about 50 to 70 percent of their weight. In some cases, the weight loss could be even up to 80 percent.

The result of this surgery is permanent and irreversible. If a patient starts overeating again, the stomach can stretch and enlarge, but it does not return to its original size.  Just like any other surgery, there could be some complications along with this surgery. Some physical and mental complications can happen due to the smaller stomach size.

Benefits of Weight Loss

Losing a significant amount of weight in obese people can improve their quality of life and makes performing daily activities easier. In addition, losing weight lowers the risk of other obesity-related health conditions such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Breathing problems like obstructive sleep apnea or asthma
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Some cancers
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout

Who is a Good Candidate for Gastric Surgery?

Bariatric surgeries including sleeve surgery are considered when serious attempts for losing weight including exercise habits, diet, and weight loss medication have already been done without getting the desired outcome. Even at that point, you need to be eligible for the bariatric procedure. The important factors are your body mass index (BMI) and your physical health condition. The needed qualifications are:

• Extreme level of obesity (BMI score of 40 and above)
• Obesity (BMI score of 35 to 39) with at least one serious obesity-related health condition
• Sometimes being overweight without meeting the obesity criteria would be considered, in case you have significant health condition due to your weight

Gastric Sleeve Surgery Complications

In general, gastric sleeve surgery is a safe procedure; however, it can have some risks just like all other surgeries. The general complication of this surgery includes:

• Hemorrhage or bleeding from the wound or inside your body
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): surgery and recovery after that can increase the blood clot risk, especially in the leg veins.
• Pulmonary embolism: this could happen if a part of a blood clot breaks and goes into your lungs.
• Pneumonia: after the surgery, pain can cause you to take shallow breaths that can lead to lung infections.
• Irregular heartbeat: surgery can increase the risk of irregular heartbeat.

Additional specific complications of gastric sleeve surgery are:

• Gastric leak: stomach fluids can leak from the sutures where your stomach is sewn together.
• Stenosis: in this case, a part of the gastric sleeve can close and make an obstruction in your stomach.
• Heartburn (GERD): reshaping the stomach can lead to heartburn or make it worse. Although, it is not a serious problem and can be treated with over-the-counter medicines.
• Vitamin deficiencies: you need to use vitamin supplements after the surgery. This is because the section of your stomach that has been removed is relatively responsible for absorbing vitamins and not taking vitamin supplements can cause deficiencies.
• Loose skin: if you lose lots of weight rapidly, you can face problems with excess skin. Your skin can adjust to your new weight after about 18 months. However, the excess skin can be surgically removed, if it is bothering you.
• Before deciding to have gastric sleeve surgery, you should know that this procedure is irreversible and your stomach cannot be the way it was.

Regardless of possible complications, gastric sleeve surgery is a safe procedure in general. If your chosen country and facility are safe and equipped and the surgeons are highly skilled, then this surgery totally safe.

Gastric Sleeve Diet

Changing your diet and having regular exercise is essential to lose weight and keep the proper size of your body because if you start your old eating habits, you will gain the weight back again. Your surgeon suggests the best diet specific for you after the surgery. This is a general guideline regarding the dietary changes:

• 2 weeks before the surgery: you should increase having protein, lower carbohydrates use, and omit sugar from your diet.
• 2 days before and the first week after the surgery: only have clear caffeine- and carbonation-free liquids.
• The next 3 weeks after the operation: you are allowed to add pureed food to your diet.
• 1 month after the surgery: at this point, you are often able to have regular healthy food. You will find out that you eat less because you get full quickly and will not feel hungery like you used to. Your doctor will prescribe needed medications in order to avoid nutritional deficiencies. However, it is commonly important to take multivitamins and calcium supplements and also a B-12 shot a month.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery Cost

The cost of gastric sleeve surgery varies widely in different parts of the world. It is even different from one facility to another one in the same geographical region. On average, the cost of gastric sleeve surgery could range from $15000 to more than $25000.

Iran is one of the best destinations for sleeve surgery due to the presence of the most professional surgeons who are well educated and highly experienced. Furthermore, the amazingly affordable costs of medical treatment besides having the most recent medical technologies can be a turning point for Iran that attracts many people to this country.

The cost of gastric sleeve surgery in Iran is only $3300 which is a very affordable price compared to the costs in other countries. In addition to medical costs, it is good to know that because of Iran’s currency devaluation, the cost of living including accommodation, transfer, meals, etc. are very low and turn Iran into a paradise for all the tourists.

At TebMedTourism, we are honored to host you in Iran and lead you to the most professional surgeons and the best medical facilities available here. To know more about this procedure in Iran, feel free to contact us through the provided WhatsApp numbers or our online form 24/7.