Gastric sleeve surgery is a form of weight loss surgery used to help morbidly obese patients use weight effectively. Bariatric surgeries are used after a patient shows a pattern of failed diets with proper diet and exercise. After a series of tests, their eligibility is determined. During this surgery, the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size by removing a large portion of it. The result of this surgery is the creation of the sleeve. This procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach and is irreversible.
Terminology Associated with Gastric Sleeve
Absorption and Malabsorption: Absorption relates to the process in which digested food is absorbed by the lower portion of the small intestine into the blood. Malabsorption pertains to digest the food that isn’t absorbed by the small intestine. Gastric sleeve surgery allows for absorption, which reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies after surgery, but does use malabsorption to promote weight loss.
Bariatric: /Greek root bar- (“weight”), -iatr (“treatment”), -ic (“pertaining to”)/ This has to do with weight or weight reduction.
Bariatric surgery: Any type of weight loss surgery
Body Mass Index: This is a way to figure out the degree of excess weight and is determined by one’s weight and height.
Comorbidities: These are diseases or illnesses that are caused by one’s continued morbid obesity. Some of them include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis.
Dumping Syndrome: This is a potential risk for gastric sleeve patients and includes nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and lightheadedness.
Laparoscopic surgery: A minimally-invasive surgery in the stomach.
Laparoscopy: This is a surgical method that allows a surgeon to see and treat issues in the abdomen with instruments and a fiber-optic camera. This type of surgery promotes a faster recovery time and lowers the risk of complications related to surgery.
Minimally-invasive: This type of surgery uses small incisions in the stomach and leads to fewer scars, less pain, and a shorter hospital stay.
Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve): This weight loss procedure decreases the size of the stomach, which limits the amount of food that can be eaten and absorbed in the body. During this procedure, a thin sleeve of the stomach is created (or a pouch) that is stapled together. The sleeve is similar to the size of a banana. Patients feel full sooner and stay satisfied longer leading to extreme weight loss. This type of weight loss procedure allows for normal absorption and digestion.
Surgery Criteria: The National Institutes of Health has professional guidelines for deciding whether or not weight loss surgery is the right treatment option. A candidate typically must be over 100 pounds or more above their ideal body weight with a body mass index of over 40 or over 35 with comorbidity.