Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
It is a restrictive and hormonal surgical weight loss procedure in which the stomach is reduced to about 15 % of its original size, by surgical removal of a large portion of the stomach along the greater curvature. The procedure is performed laparoscopically and is irreversible. During the surgery, approximately 85 % of the stomach is removed creating a tiny, banana-shaped stomach. The result is a sleeve or tube like structure.Following the sleeve surgery, weight loss results from eating less due to the much smaller stomach. Another contributor to weight loss is the fact that the part of the stomach which produces Ghrelin; the hunger hormone, controlling hunger and satiety is removed.
Benefits
The gastric sleeve surgery help the patients put down around 50 – 60 % of their extra weight and fat within a year after the surgery. Apart from weight loss, the benefits of gastric sleeve are many. After undergoing the sleeve surgery, a noted improvement can be observed in the following aspects: High blood pressure, Sleep Apnea, Type 2 Diabetes, Abnormal Cholesterol / Lipid levels, Acid Reflux, Metabolic Syndrome, Lower Back pain etc. In addition, apart from the weight loss that can be achieved, the risk of death is considerably reduced.
Risks Involved
Tend to eat less food than normal, resulting in a lower level of consumption in vitamins,minerals and iron, which might lead to a deficiency of these nutrients.Additionally, a reduced intake in Calcium has caused metabolic bone disease among afew patients, thereby resulting in bone pain, loss of height, humped back and fracturesof bones.Vitamin B12 deficiency occurrence is a chance, leading to chronic anemia.However, the deficiencies listed above can be taken care of and avoided, by monitoringadequate diet and vitamin supplements.