Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing solution for people without long-term success with diet and exercise programs alone. Gastric sleeve surgery has become one of the most commonly performed procedures, and for a good reason. It involves only partial excision of the stomach without rerouting the gastrointestinal tract. Because of this, it is a less demanding procedure with fewer postoperative complications.
One of the most important parts of any weight loss surgery, including the gastric sleeve procedure, is the preparation. Many bariatric surgery centers provide presurgical lifestyle programs to help patients set a solid foundation to accomplish their goals. This approach provides patients with education to manage their expectations and learn lifestyle skills that will help them become successful.
There are four key components to a comprehensive presurgical lifestyle plan. They include:
- Nutritional— working with a clinical dietician will help you learn what you need to eat to maintain good health. Typically, in the presurgical phase, this involves lowering your daily calories to a range between 1200-1500 calories (or in a range advised by your medical team).
- Exercise— beginning and maintaining an approved workout routine to reach and keep your weight loss goals.
- Psychological— having regular sessions with a therapist is critical throughout the entire process, from preparation to post-surgical.
Assembling your support network
The benefit of a presurgical lifestyle program is that you can customize it to fit your needs. While the four core components mentioned above should be mandatory parts of any program, you can include other goals— short and long term. And, if you thrive in a structured environment, you can consist of detailed exercise schedules, and meal plans to hit nutrition goals. These things may help keep you accountable and on track. A critical factor in success has a strong support system after surgery. An example of additional presurgical customization may include joining a support group for bariatric surgery patients. This allows you to start forming relationships with others that will help structure your support network.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Near Me
If you were exploring your options and searched for “gastric sleeve surgery near me,” you’d likely find several surgery centers. It’s essential to do your research when choosing a surgeon and facility to take the following steps. First, you’ll want to read reviews and find out the success rates of the surgeons you are considering.
Gastric sleeve surgery is a complex bariatric surgical procedure that can produce great results when performed by an experienced surgeon. It involves removing approximately ¾ of your stomach. The surgeon will then join the remaining portions to create a pouch, which will function as the new stomach. By reducing the stomach size, the gastric sleeve has a dual effect. First, it reduces hunger because of the reduced stomach size. Secondly, it reduces hunger because it produces less appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin. If hormonal effects are a factor in your struggle to lose weight, the gastric sleeve may be a practical solution.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Requirements
To help determine who is a good candidate for bariatric surgery at BASS Bariatric Surgery Center is guided by the National Institutes of Health. These guidelines state that bariatric surgery may be a good option for adults or teens who meet the following criteria:
A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.
A BMI of 35 or more with a serious health problem linked to obesity (such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea).
A BMI of 30 or more with type 2 diabetes is difficult to control with medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
You must meet specific gastric sleeve surgery requirements before moving on. We understand that the decision to undergo bariatric surgery is very personal. Once you’ve decided that you are ready to gather more information to guide your decision, we are here for you. It’s helpful to schedule a consultation and start by getting answers to the following questions:
What is the cost?
What does each procedure involve, and what are the associated risks and benefits?
How long is gastric sleeve surgery (or other weight loss surgery) recovery time?
What does life after surgery look like for sustained weight loss?
At BASS Bariatric Surgery Center, we support you in every phase of your journey. This is why we’re composed of some of the area’s leading experts in weight-loss surgery. As a result, our team can help you reach your goals.
Cite information sources:
Dr. Brian T. Chin
