Sleeve gastrectomy Surgery in India

Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

Alongside its ability to treat obesity, a sleeve gastrectomy surgery can provide a multitude of additional benefits, such as:

• A sleeve gastrectomy surgery is generally performed using a laparoscope and small surgical tools. The procedure does not involve any major cuts or incisions to be made. This results in a shorter recovery time and reduced risk of any complications.
• The surgery involves no prosthetic material or surgical maintainence. 
• The entire procedure does not take more than an hour, and the postoperative stay does not last for more than one night in most cases. 
• Most patients can expect a fast recovery. Patients that receive gastric sleeve surgery need to rest at least 3 weeks after their procedure. After this time, they can go back to their normal activities with proper care and compliance with their post-operative diet.
• Gastric sleeve surgery can significantly reduce the chances of cardiovascular conditions in patients.
• It eases respiration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
• Sleeve gastrectomy can significantly decrease the risk of stroke and heart attack.
• Studies suggest that 85% of patients struggling with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) see significant improvement after weight loss induced by sleeve gastrectomy.
• Sleeve gastrectomy surgery can also reduce urinary incontinence symptoms.
• The gastric sleeve is also associated with a significant reduction in cancer incidence and mortality.

Recovery After Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

On average, recovery after sleeve gastrectomy surgery can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Most patients can return to work in 2 weeks after surgery. However, each patient has different healing capabilities, and depending on your overall health and quality of postoperative care, recovery time may vary. To ensure a smooth recovery and minimize the chances of any complications as much as possible, your urologist may also lay down some easy-to-follow tips and guidelines. It is imperative to follow these guidelines to the best of your ability.

• Diet: Drink plenty of water and follow the guidelines on when to return to solid foods. Also, make sure to eat small portions at a time. Avoid foods with high levels of starch and sugar, and opt for high-protein foods to prevent weakness and muscle loss. 
• Vitamins: After your gastric sleeve surgery, it may become necessary to take vitamin supplements. It is advisable to stock up on a lifetime supply of vitamins such as vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, and iron.
• Exercise: Avoid any strenuous exercise or activities that may exert excessive force on the surgical site. Instead, perform low-impact exercises such as walking. It is advisable to perform moderate exercises for at least 30 minutes daily. This can help your body recover faster and maintain weight loss.
• Smoking and alcohol: Your doctor will likely instruct you to refrain from smoking and alcohol consumption. They can slow down your recovery after sleeve gastrectomy and may lead to further complications. 
• Pregnancy: It is advisable to avoid pregnancy for at least 12-18 months after sleeve gastrectomy surgery. 

Risk & Complication Associated with Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

Complications of any kind after sleeve gastrectomy are rare. However, as is the case with any other surgical procedure, they can still happen and should not be taken lightly. Some sleeve gastrectomy risks and complications are given below:

• Blood Clots: A surgical procedure can significantly increase the risk of blood clots in the lower legs and lungs. 
• Infection: While infections of any kind are rare, they can still happen. Your surgical wounds may become infected during healing, causing symptoms such as pain, fever, chills, and swelling.
• Leakage: Food or liquid may sometimes leak out of the stomach. This can lead to serious infection. If you start facing symptoms such as a burning feeling in your gut, painful indigestion, and bloating, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately.
• Blocked Gut: The formation of scar tissue after your sleeve gastrectomy procedure can cause your stomach to be narrow. This can lead to the inability of the food to move through your stomach and cause nausea, vomiting, and difficulty eating.
• Malnutrition: Malnutrition is one of the most common types of sleeve gastrectomy risks. It can be difficult for patients to get their required nutrition when they are eating less. After your sleeve gastrectomy, your doctor will likely prescribe you some daily nutritional supplements for life.
• Gallstones: Rapid weight loss can make gallstones more likely. It causes more fat to process through your liver, which can then build up in your gallbladder as cholesterol stones and cause pain after eating. You may need another surgery to remove your gallbladder called a cholecystectomy.

Lifestyle Changes After Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

A sleeve gastrectomy procedure can significantly help you on your weight loss journey. However, it is not a cure for obesity but rather a tool to help you lose weight. Long-term success depends on your ability to follow guidelines for diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes such as:

• Diet: Bariatric surgery changes the way your stomach works. Therefore, you have to be more conscious of what to eat after sleeve gastrectomy and strictly follow the diet plan laid out by your surgeon. Immediately following surgery, you will begin with a clear liquid diet. As you recover and upon your doctor’s recommendation, you will slowly be able to return to regular meals and diet. 
• Exercise: Exercise can help you reach and maintain your best health after surgery. Along with helping you in your weight loss journey by keeping excess weight off, regular exercising can preserve lean muscle provide, promote stability of joints, enhance the strength of your bones, and improve the overall elasticity of your skin after bariatric surgery. 

Aim for 45 minutes of aerobic exercises (such as walking or bicycle riding) at least 4 days a week, and keep doing some strength training. For certain people, high-intensity training may work better. Your doctor can recommend to you the best exercise plan after surgery.

• Lifestyle: In order to avoid gaining any weight you may have lost after your sleeve gastrectomy surgery, you also need to make certain changes in your daily life. Some changes that your surgeon may recommend include: Staying constantly hydrated, cooking nutritious meals at home instead of eating out, taking the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator, and walking from one place to as much as possible instead of driving.

For the best results after bariatric surgery, you should include as many of these changes as possible. To make the process easier on everyone, consider discussing your intended lifestyle changes with friends and family before the procedure.

• Long-term Follow-ups: Obesity is a long-term disease, and even after surgery, you will likely require regular follow-up sessions. It is imperative to attend every follow-up session scheduled by your surgeon. Obesity is a chronic disease and can continue, or even return, after surgery. Early after surgery, you will likely have follow-up appointments every few months for the first year. Additional treatment with weight loss medications, advice on lifestyle changes, and even more surgery can be part of long-term follow-up.

Recovery Timeline After Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

Day of the Surgery

Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is a major surgery that alters your digestive system itself to treat obesity. Therefore, you will probably need to spend at least 1-2 days at the hospital. After the surgery is completed, you will be taken to a recovery room and closely monitored by your surgeon. 

It is normal to feel some pain and discomfort. To help, your surgeon may prescribe pain medications. You can also expect to have some drainage from your incision sites as well as slight bruising and swelling. It is essential to keep your incisions clean and dry to avoid infection. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incisions.

1-week after surgery

One week after gastric sleeve surgery, you will likely have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. The aim of these appointments is to ensure a smooth recovery after sleeve gastrectomy and timely identification of any complications. Your surgeon will also discuss your progress and answer any questions that you may have. Continue taking any pain medication as needed at this point and avoid strenuous activity. Most people feel well enough to return to work or their normal activities by this point.

2-3 weeks after surgery

Two weeks after gastric sleeve surgery, you can expect most of the side effects, such as pain and discomfort, to subside. You may still have slight bruising or swelling, but it should be significantly less. You can slowly start returning to your daily routine by this point, but avoiding any strenuous activities that may exert excessive force on the surgical site is crucial. 

4-6 weeks after surgery

4-6 weeks after gastric sleeve surgery, you will likely be feeling back to your normal self. The majority of patients are able to return to work and their normal activities by this point. You can begin to slowly increase your activity level and start a low-impact exercise routine if approved by your surgeon.