What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Surgical methods are the best and permanent solution in the treatment of morbid obesity. The most common of these methods is sleeve gastrectomy.

Before the surgery, patients are evaluated by a bariatric dietician and a bariatric surgeon.

Patients who are suitable for surgery undergo detailed blood tests and other physician consultations. Chest X-ray, ECG, SFT, abdominal USG and endoscopy are performed before the surgery. Patients who are found suitable after all these extensive evaluations can undergo surgery.

Sleeve gastrectomy, or stomach reduction surgery, is performed under general anesthesia with a closed method (laparoscopically). During the surgery, 3 or 4 small incisions are made, these are about 0.5-1.5 cm. The camera and instruments are entered into the abdomen through these incisions. The stomach is prepared by freeing it along its large axis. Then, approximately 75 percent of the stomach is cut and closed by applying 3 rows of titanium staples to be removed. After the surgery, the stomach volume decreases considerably, thus providing a feeling of fullness with much less food. In addition, since the fundus of the stomach is removed, a decrease in appetite is observed, because the appetite hormone (ghrelin) is produced in the stomach fundus.

The patient starts walking in the 5th hour after the surgery and starts drinking water in the 6th hour. The next day, food intake is started with clear soup. After 2-3 nights of hospitalization, the patient is sent home or to a hotel. The first 15 days of nutrition are liquid, the second 15 days are puree. During this period, consultations with a dietician are very important for success in weight loss. The person loses 80 percent of their excess weight within 1-1.5 years after the surgery.

Since the surgery is performed with a closed method, the post-operative period is quite comfortable compared to many surgeries. In addition, returning to work is quite fast, light work can be started immediately; heavy work can be started within a few weeks.