Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Gastric Sleeve Surgery – An Overview, Its Advantages and Disadvantages

With obesity gaining epidemic proportions, more and more novel methods, both surgical and non-surgical, of fighting the flab are being researched into. As per statistics compiled by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, nearly 200,000 people undergo weight loss surgeries each year. A relatively new form of bariatric procedure, gastric sleeve surgery is also gaining widespread acceptance as an effective method to get rid of excess fat.

As per a report released by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network of the American College of Surgeons, laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery can be as safe as laparoscopic lap band surgery or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y bypass surgery.

What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery has made it possible to get rid of the unsightly flab and lead a normal and healthy life. Also known by a number of alternative names such as the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric reduction, and sleeve gastroplasty, it may either be performed as an independent bariatric surgery or as the initial surgery, to be followed by gastric bypass in case of a two-stage weight loss surgery.

First performed in England in 2002, gastric sleeve surgery involves reducing the stomach by nearly three-fourth of its original size. It is usually carried out on individuals with a BMI of over 40.

Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Minimally invasive and is a key-hole surgery, as it is done laparoscopically.

Reduces release of the hunger inducing hormone called ghrelin in the stomach.

Absence of dumping syndrome in gastric sleeve surgery, unlike other bariatric surgeries. Dumping syndrome is quick movement of ingested food through the stomach into the small intestine, resulting in nausea, diarrhoea, etc.

More suitable for patients with a history of surgeries or medical conditions.

No foreign apparatus in the body such as the gastric band.

Disadvantages of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Irreversible.

Not covered by insurance companies.

Lack of experienced bariatric surgeons to perform it, on account of it being a relatively new procedure.

Stretching of the stomach tube, thereby leading to regaining the lost weight.

It will be prudent to study the credibility of bariatric surgeons and the hospitals or weight loss clinics before choosing a particular hospital. For this purpose, patients' testimonials can also come in handy.

For people having financial limitations, undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in countries such as India, Mexico, or Costa Rica can be a good option, since cost of the procedure in these countries can be a pittance when compared to the costs in the US, the UK and other developed American and European countries.





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