Gastric Sleeve Resection: Post-Operative Complications and Care

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If you are overweight or obese, you’re at significantly higher risk for serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease,, and stroke.

Losing weight can make you healthier as it can reduce your likelihood of developing various diseases. To lose weight all you have to do is eat less and exercise more. But losing weight isn’t always as easy as that, especially if you are morbidly obese (with a body mass index of up to 60).

For severely obese people who have tried losing weight with diet and physical activity programs without success, there is a plethora of surgical weight loss options.

Of the various weight loss surgeries, known collectively as bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve resection is a fairly new approach to weight loss.

Gastric sleeve resection, also called Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a surgical procedure in which approximately 80-85 percent of the stomach is removed vertically. The open edges of the remaining stomach portion are attached with surgical staples, forming a banana-like tube or sleeve which creates a restrictive process in which patients feel fewer hunger cravings.

As per the latest statistics released by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) in 2011, patients lose between 50-66% of their total weight after undergoing gastric sleeve resection.

Just like any other bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve resection has its fair share of potential risks and complications.

Post-op Complications
A leak from the staple line may be the most devastating complication of a gastric sleeve resection. The leakage from staple lines can lead to chronic problems and, in rare cases, death.

The left-out stomach may stretch over some time and this may cause the patient to regain weight, at which point the second stage of the weight loss procedure should be performed to achieve the weight goal – either the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch.

Some people experience acid reflux after a gastric sleeve operation.

Nausea & vomiting, pneumonia, excessive internal bleeding, infection around the wound, and inflammation in the lining of the stomach are other major complications associated with gastric sleeve resection operation.

Pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling is some minor side effects that are seen immediately after the surgery and which disappear after a few weeks.

Because a large portion of the stomach is removed, patients may experience nutritional deficiencies.

Aftercare
Some factors are mandatory for the maintenance of weight loss achieved through gastric sleeve resection. These factors include drastic lifestyle and dietary changes.

Following the surgery, patients will require to commit themselves to healthy eating habits, such as eating small quantities of food, eating several small meals in a day, chewing food well before swallowing, and drinking liquids 30-45 minutes after meals.

Take a liquid diet for the first couple of weeks, gradually transitioning to a soft diet, and then gradually to solid foods. Omit high-sugar and high-calorie beverages, such as milkshakes, soft drinks, and hot chocolate, as well as spicy and junk foods. The food you choose should be rich in vitamins. Avoid lying down or resting after eating as it can lead to reflux. You are also advised to take multivitamins and extra B vitamins daily.

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