Promoters of the procedure boast several specific advantages over other types of [...]]]> Gastric sleeving is a form of weight loss surgery which is gaining momentum. The complete name for the procedure is Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy but it is widely known by the more common term “gastric sleeve” or “sleeve gastrectomy”. They all describe the same procedure.

Promoters of the procedure boast several specific advantages over other types of laparoscopic weight loss surgery. They will tell you that, unlike “lap-band” surgery, gastric sleeving does not include implanting a foreign object in your body, which also means that there is no need for later adjustment or filling after surgery. This means less followup medical visits and therefore, greater personal convenience and getting back to normal life much faster.

But is it all it’s cracked up to be?

First, let’s understand exactly what is involved and then discuss the implications. The procedure involves two things. The first is a significant reduction in the size of the stomach, while the second involves reducing the hormones that create a craving for food. The small intestine is unaltered, so digestion and absorption of nutrients is unhindered. However, your stomach normally has approximately a one litre capacity but this surgery can reduct that to about 100ml.

The impact on your eating habits could be quite significant. For example, if you once drunk from a normal size cup, you may have to purchase much smaller ones, because you may not be able to drink a whole cup. Your meal sizes may also diminish to almost a tenth of what you have been used to. That could amount to only a very small portion on a dinner plate.

This may seem attractive at first, but it could also mean you may not be able to physically consume sufficient food to provide normal nourishment and therefore, have to take nutritional supplements for the rest of your life.

Complications that can arise from the gastric sleeve procedure include internal leaking after the operation. This can cause septicemia which could be dangerous, if not life threatening.

The other important thing to remember, is that the procedure is irreversible. Once it’s done, you have to live with the consequences for the rest of your life.

The Gastric Sleeve Resection as a stand-alone weight loss surgery is a new approach and still considered experimental by many bariatric surgeons and insurance companies. It is covered by some insurance companies, but not by others. Typically, insurance companies do not cover a procedure that they consider experimental.

It is often followed by a gastric bypass or duodenal switch after the patient has lost a significant amount of weight. Called a “staged” approach to weight loss surgery, this makes the second procedure less risky than it would have been had it been the first and only procedure.

Doctors point out that no obesity surgery is a cure-all. It’s simply a tool to help patients cut portions and calories. The smaller stomach can enlarge again and weight loss can be regained.If this occurs the sleeve can be revised, but this requires another operation. This however is most uncommon and the reality is, that your “new” reduced stomach will be a lifelong blessing or curse.

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Indications

They are rather complicated operations, reserved for the most to cases known as “morbid obesity” characterized by a body mass index above 40, which have failed to be controlled by various diet attempts.

Results

The [...]]]> Bariatric surgery is a type of surgery that restricts food intake, in fact decreasing the daily caloric intake in order to fight obesity.

Indications

They are rather complicated operations, reserved for the most to cases known as “morbid obesity” characterized by a body mass index above 40, which have failed to be controlled by various diet attempts.

Results

The effectiveness on weight loss is almost constant and significantly decreases mortality and morbidity of obese patients. The lost weight can sometimes reach 40% of the initial weight of the patient. This weight reduction is accompanied by an improvement in levels of hypertension, fat levels and even curing pre-existing diabetes in more than three-quarters of cases. The improvement in blood sugar levels is almost immediated, even before any weight loss. Psychological monitoring and evaluation are needed along the way.

Intervention methods

A set of techniques exist that can be classified into two main types of interventions.

• The first aimed at reducing stomach capacity, ie the volume of the stomach and to reduce the rate of emptying of the stomach to get a feeling of fullness faster (gastric banding surgery).
• The second, mixed procedures, combine gastric restriction with the creation of a bypass system in the digestive tract to reduce absorption of nutrients by the intestine. These techniques are performed by incision of the abdominal wall (laparotomy) and, in recent years, almost all can be done laparoscopically.

Comparative efficiency techniques

The analysis of available data indicates that the different bariatric surgery techniques are effective.

In general, the mixed procedures, combining gastric restriction and intestinal malabsorption, are more effective than interventions that only reduce stomach capacity.

Laparoscopic techniques, provide you with many benefits, including reduced duration of hospitalization, although they are not free of complications. Only two laparoscopic approaches are fairly well developed and their effects known enough not to be regarded as experimental.

The Importance of follow-ups

Patients that undergo weight-loss procedures should be monitored annually by a multidisciplinary team, in addition to the surgical team (especially attentive to the early and late terms), including nutritionists, psychologists and medical specialists. Plastic surgery is often necessary. Recurrence of obesity can be seen in just under one in 10 in long term studies.

Economic aspects

In general, bariatric surgery is a costly intervention.

However, its costs are largely offset by the decrease in the prevalence of diseases associated with obesity (heart disease and diabetes, for example) and by reducing their impact the health system and productivity losses caused by disability, as well as improving the patient’s life quality.

More information on Gastric Banding, Lap-Band and bariatric procedures.

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With this kind of problem at hand, we look [...]]]> Losing those extra pounds and getting rid of unwanted fat have been, for many years now, the quest of many people. It is a worldwide phenomenon… and no wonder, since many of us mostly indulge in unhealthy eating habits including fake carbs, fast foods, and caffeinated beverages.

With this kind of problem at hand, we look for answers. Hence, many people try different weight loss programs, weight loss medications and have visited many weight loss clinics. However, not all of these methods of losing fat are effective and give us the best results. It is still a case by case basis.

This being the case, weight loss experts have sought to give people another alternative. Hence, weight loss surgery has been introduced and today is so popular that is has become a booming industry. With so many people fed up (pardon the pun) with trying different weight loss pills and diet systems, many have resorted to surgery. But, before you even try consulting a surgeon about weight loss using surgical procedures, it is better to learn all about weight loss surgery first.

The Benefits of Surgery for Weight Loss

Although there have been some unfavourable reports about losing fat with surgery, it also has several benefits, which are:

Promote better health

– yes, this weight loss procedure can give you a healthier body with continued weight loss. Diseases like diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and high blood pressures can also be prevented.

Psychological

– aside from health-related benefits, undergoing surgery can also bring good results in relation to a person’s psychological nature. You see, if you are slim and sexy, you will have better self-esteem and you can be confident all the time.

Keeping Yourself Fit

– with surgery, you’ll be thought on how to control weight gain all by yourself. You will learn how to be contented and be satisfied even with just a small amount of food.

Risks Posed by Weight Loss Surgery

If there are benefits to this weight loss procedure, there are also risks. Well, all kinds of surgery have one or more risks, right? And this is not an exception. Among the most serious risks with surgery are blood clot, failure of a body organ, infection, hemorrhage or even death. However, the technique used in weight loss surgery known as laparoscopic technique rarely causes death to patients so there is no need to worry that much.

The following are among the problems that you can expect during and after the surgery:

• Problems with the adjustable gastric band such as prolapsed and erosion • Complications after a gastric bypass operation such as hemorrhage, obstructions in the intestines, internal hernias, marginal ulcers, etc.
• Complications after a biliopancreatic diversion surgery.
• Risks of failing to get the expected weight loss results as well as weight regain after the surgery.

You should bear in mind that surgery to lose body fat does have potential risks. It is up to you to brave these risks and go ahead with the procedures. The important thing is that you look for a reputable clinic. Many have thought that going to cheap overseas clinics is better value, but you need to remember that these are mostly unregulated and you could be taking a huge risk.

You can ask some known clients that the clinic has regarding the kind of services that it has. Try to ascertain the success rate of the clinic when it comes to surgical procedures. It is also a must that you check for the background of the surgeon who will perform your weight loss surgery. Better yet, gather as much information as you can on their surgeons and choose who you think is the best among them.

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