What is gastric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss procedure where most of the stomach is removed, reducing its capacity by up to 75%. The area where the hormone that stimulates appetite is produced is also removed. As a result, the food portion size you are able to eat, as well as your appetite, are reduced. It’s important that you make lifestyle changes too, in terms of healthy eating and regular activity, to achieve the best possible results.
Is there a gastric sleeve diet to follow post-surgery?
Yes, you’ll need to follow a gastric sleeve diet after your procedure. As 75% of your stomach is removed, naturally your appetite and the portion sizes you can manage to eat will reduce. One of our expert dietitians will advise you on your diet after gastric sleeve surgery, including your food and liquid intake throughout the length of your aftercare. They’ll be able to give you detailed information on what to eat and any foods to avoid after sleeve gastrectomy to ensure you get the desired results following your surgery.
What are the sleeve gastrectomy risks?
All surgery comes with the risk of complications, which will be explained to you fully in your consultation, so you are completely aware of what’s involved and can make an informed decision regarding private gastric sleeve surgery.
Some people may experience Dumping Syndrome after a gastric sleeve procedure. This is the name given to a range of symptoms which can be experienced after consuming food or fluid containing a lot of carbohydrates, especially sugar. It occurs because the stomach empties more quickly after gastric sleeve surgery compared with before.
You will be fully supported by one of our specialist dietitians to ensure that, following your vertical sleeve gastrectomy, side effects like malnutrition and Dumping Syndrome are avoided as far as possible. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
What are the pros and cons of bariatric sleeve surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery can completely overhaul your health and overall quality of life. Most people are successful in losing weight following their procedure – with the gastric sleeve weight loss rate as much as 55-60% after three years.
Losing significant amounts of weight can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life, the ability to enjoy higher energy levels and more freedom in the things you can do. It can also help treat and reduce the impact of illnesses and some medical conditions associated with obesity.
Gastric sleeve surgery is a permanent decision and an irreversible surgery, so you cannot change your mind once you have had the procedure as it involves the removal of part of your stomach. As with any surgery, gastric sleeve operations carry some possible complications which will be discussed with you in detail.
Is gastric sleeve right for me?
Most patients will need to meet certain criteria for gastric sleeve surgery. As the gastric sleeve procedure is more invasive than a gastric band, but not such a major operation as a gastric bypass, it may suit patients for whom the bypass is inadvisable due to health complications.
Usually patients must have a certain BMI for gastric sleeve surgery to be suitable, which is typically those with a BMI of 40kg/m2 or over. However, if your BMI is between 30kg/m2 and 40kg/m2 you may be considered, especially if you have obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, and even more so if you are from an Asian background (source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline 189, 2014).
It’s important to know that surgery is dependent on a bariatric surgeon’s opinion and your individual circumstances. During your consultation, your surgeon will explain the criteria for a gastric sleeve and discuss whether it’s the most suitable procedure for you.
How long will I be in hospital after my gastrectomy surgery?
You will normally stay in one of our specialist hospitals for 2-3 nights after your gastrectomy surgery. Rest assured that our team offer exceptional standards of patient care and all our facilities are registered with the Care Quality Commission.
What can I eat after my sleeve gastrectomy?
The sleeve works to reduce portion sizes, rather than restricting specific food types. Compared to the bypass, there are fewer types of food to avoid after a sleeve gastrectomy. However, some patients may struggle with certain textures of food, such as bread or red meat. Our team of experienced dietitians will let you know what to eat after your sleeve gastrectomy to ensure you’re getting all the essential vitamins and minerals you need. It’s important to follow the gastric sleeve diet that your specialist advises to ensure you achieve the results you desire post-surgery.
Is drinking alcohol after my gastrectomy surgery OK?
We advise you to avoid drinking alcohol after gastrectomy surgery for at least the first four weeks post-op. Following this, be mindful that your tolerance is likely to reduce. While consuming small quantities of alcohol 1 month after a gastric sleeve is OK, it’s likely you will absorb alcohol into your bloodstream more quickly than before the operation.
What is Dumping Syndrome after gastric sleeve surgery?
Dumping Syndrome or rapid gastric emptying is relatively common following bariatric surgery procedures that bypass the majority of the stomach. It describes the symptoms that occur when food moves too quickly through the stomach and is “dumped” into the small intestine. However, only 1% of patients report their symptoms difficult to manage, and the sensation often occurs less as time passes.
What is the typical gastric sleeve recovery time?
The overall gastric sleeve recovery time will vary based on you and your individual circumstances. Many people feel comfortable walking a day or two after the surgery and can return to work within a few weeks, but it is best to always follow the advice of your expert weight loss surgeon.
How much weight can you lose after gastric sleeve surgery?
How much weight you can lose after gastric sleeve surgery will depend on a variety of factors. According to the NHS, more people tend to achieve significant weight loss with a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy than with a gastric band. The gastric sleeve weight loss rate is as much as 55-60% after three years, but this will vary from person to person and the amount of effort that you put into changing your lifestyle and eating habits.
How much weight can you lose after gastric sleeve surgery?
How much weight you can lose after gastric sleeve surgery will depend on a variety of factors. According to the NHS, more people tend to achieve significant weight loss with a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy than with a gastric band. The gastric sleeve weight loss rate is as much as 55-60% after three years, but this will vary from person to person and the amount of effort that you put into changing your lifestyle and eating habits.
How much is a gastric sleeve?
Here at The Hospital Group, we understand that every individual has different requirements, which is why we create a bespoke treatment plan in line with your weight loss goals. This means that the gastric sleeve cost may vary, depending on a range of factors. You can use our price check to work out how much your gastric sleeve could cost. You can choose to pay for your treatment in full or spread the cost out over 24, 36, 48 or 60 months using our finance options.
For example, if your gastric sleeve costs £9,145, you could pay a £500 deposit on a loan plan at 12.9% APR and pay 60 monthly instalments at £193.18pcm. This would mean you’d pay £12,090.80 in total.
We also have 0% finance options allow to spread the sleeve gastrectomy cost over a 6, 10 or 12-month period completely interest-free.
