Gastric Sleeve Surgery: An Effective Treatment for Obesity

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Excessive weight gain, namely obesity, has become one of the most common health problems of today. Beyond affecting a person's appearance, it prepares the ground for serious health problems far beyond aesthetic concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as "a metabolic disorder that, as a result of excessive fat storage in the body exceeding bone and muscle mass, causes physical, mental, and social problems."

Obesity can pave the way for serious conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer. Individuals facing obesity due to unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyle, or certain metabolic disorders may struggle when trying to manage this process through diet alone. Modern medicine offers a surgical solution at this point: gastric sleeve surgery.

Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is a surgical method that supports weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach and affecting the digestive process. This method, generally applied to overweight or obese individuals, restricts a person's food intake capacity by reducing stomach volume. During the surgery, a large portion of the stomach is surgically removed and the remaining part is transformed into a thin, tube-like structure. As a result, the person consumes less food and the weight loss process is supported.

Who Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Applied To?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a method applied to individuals who have excess weight that seriously threatens their health. It should be preferred for maintaining health integrity, not for aesthetic concerns. Before deciding on surgery, a detailed evaluation should be conducted between the patient and doctor, and all necessary tests and examinations should be completed. The patient's age, weight, and past medical history play an important role in determining surgical suitability.

In individuals who have undergone gastric sleeve surgery, more than half of excess weight is lost within the first year. Additionally, significant improvements can be seen after surgery in diseases such as diabetes and hypertension that develop along with weight problems.

How Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery Performed?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a surgical intervention performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, approximately 85% of the stomach is removed and the remaining part is reshaped into a tube form; the name of the surgery comes from this appearance.

The surgery is usually performed using a laparoscopic (closed) method through small incisions made in the abdominal area. The small size of the incisions accelerates the patient's recovery process and reduces the risk of infection. Scars resulting from surgery after the procedure typically remain minimal; the appearance of the scar may vary depending on the person's skin structure and the surgical technique used.

The natural connection between the stomach and small intestine is preserved during surgery; in this respect, it differs from gastric bypass surgery.

Surgery Duration

The duration of gastric sleeve surgery can vary from person to person when considering the patient's general health condition and possible risks; therefore, it is not appropriate to provide a definite timeframe. However, surgeries that proceed without complications and progress normally take an average of 1.5-2 hours.

The Difference Between Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass

Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) and gastric bypass are two different surgical methods frequently preferred in obesity treatment. In gastric sleeve surgery, stomach volume is reduced but the digestive pathway is not altered. In gastric bypass surgery, in addition to stomach reduction, a new connection is created between the stomach and small intestine, allowing some nutrients to pass undigested, which also reduces absorption.

Which method will be used is determined by the surgeon based on the patient's degree of obesity, accompanying diseases, and general health condition.

How Does Weight Loss Occur After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The aim of gastric sleeve surgery is to restrict a person's food and calorie intake by reducing stomach volume. The stomach's digestive function is not affected by this surgery.

Ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone, is secreted from the "gastric fundus" region located in the stomach. Since a large portion of this area is also removed during surgery, hunger hormone secretion decreases and patients experience significant appetite reduction. Both the reduction in appetite and the reduction in stomach volume support rapid weight loss.

A large portion of excess weight is generally lost within the first year; in the 5-year period following surgery, an average of 60% of total excess weight is reported to be lost. Rapid weight loss can positively contribute to the patient's psychological well-being and quality of life.

Risks of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

As with any surgical intervention, there are certain risks involved in gastric sleeve surgery. These include:

• Risk of infection after surgery
• Bleeding risk
• Stomach perforation
• Leakage or blockage at the surgical line
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Increased stomach reflux

Such conditions can be mentioned. Although these risks are rare, they may require treatment. Additionally, rapid weight loss and changes in body shape can cause psychological and emotional effects in some individuals; in such cases, expert support can be beneficial.

It is important that all risks be clearly shared between the patient and their family before surgery, allowing for a correct and informed decision.

Post-Operative Process and Recovery

Since gastric sleeve surgery is performed using a closed method, patients can usually get out of bed on the first day of surgery. The patient typically stays in the hospital for approximately 2-3 days for observation and can return to daily life within 1-2 weeks. The weight loss process becomes more pronounced approximately one month after surgery.

Physical activity is also important in the post-operative period. Exercise should be started gradually and increased over time according to the doctor's recommendations. Attending regular follow-up appointments after surgery is of great importance for the healthy progression of the process.

Pain Status

Since gastric sleeve surgery is performed using a closed method with millimetric incisions, it progresses more gently compared to some other surgical procedures. A certain level of pain may be felt after surgery; these pains can be controlled with pain-relieving medications under medical supervision.

Does the Stomach Expand Again?

After surgery, stomach volume is reduced to approximately 100 ml. Some minor stomach expansion over time is normal; however, as long as the doctor's follow-up and recommendations are followed, this expansion remains under control. If doctor's advice is not followed and eating is careless, weight gain can occur again.

Post-Operative Diet

Nutrition is one of the most critical factors directly affecting the success of gastric sleeve surgery. A gradual nutrition program is followed in the post-operative period: starting with liquid foods, then transitioning to purees and eventually to solid foods. Since the stomach can regenerate rapidly, full compliance with doctor's recommendations is necessary during this process.

Basic points to consider in post-operative nutrition are:

• Protein intake: Protein sources such as chicken, fish, eggs, yogurt, and cheese should be included in the nutrition plan for body tissue repair and preservation of muscle mass.
• Balanced carbohydrate consumption: Fiber-rich carbohydrates increase the feeling of fullness, while balanced consumption of refined carbohydrates meets energy needs.
• Fluid consumption: Drinking adequate water supports digestion and hydration; however, excessive fluid consumption before and after meals should be avoided, as this can reduce stomach fullness.
• Small and frequent meals: Due to reduced stomach volume, feeding with smaller portions at frequent intervals is necessary.
• Slow eating and good chewing: This is important for facilitating digestion.

The significant reduction in appetite after surgery generally makes compliance with this dietary regimen easier.

Long-Term Results

The long-term effects of gastric sleeve surgery vary from person to person. In individuals who maintain lifestyle changes after surgery (regular exercise, healthy eating), weight control has been reported to be maintained years later. Similarly, improvement in health problems related to obesity, such as diabetes and hypertension, has been shown to continue in the long term.

However, since each patient's experience is different, regular doctor follow-up and compliance with recommendations after surgery are of great importance for maintaining the benefits achieved.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery Costs

Gastric sleeve surgery costs vary depending on many factors such as the patient's geographic location, the quality of the preferred healthcare institution, the complexity level of the surgery, and the patient's general health condition. Pre-operative and post-operative follow-up services, length of hospital stay, and the experience of the surgical team are among the factors affecting the cost.

To obtain accurate pricing information, it is important that an individual evaluation be conducted between the patient and doctor, and a plan suited to the patient's needs be created.

Turkey is a country preferred by many patients from within and outside the country, with experienced specialist staff and advanced healthcare infrastructure regarding gastric sleeve surgery. People who want to obtain detailed information about gastric sleeve surgery and discuss pricing can contact a specialist healthcare institution to receive an evaluation specific to their situation.