Gastric sleeve surgery results in a reduction in body weight when used alongside healthy habit changes and a restricted diet. At The Bariatric Experts in Frisco and Abilene, Texas, Scott Stowers, DO, performs gastric sleeve surgery and coaches you as you implement healthy habit changes before and after the procedure. To find out if you’re a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery, call The Bariatric Experts or request an appointment online today.
Gastric sleeve surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy, is a weight loss surgery that is restrictive only, meaning it keeps your stomach’s function intact.
At The Bariatric Experts, Dr. Stowers performs gastric sleeve surgery using small incisions and a laparoscopic camera, a long, slender lighted camera that fits through the small incisions. This technique allows for minimal recovery time and less scarring.
During the surgery, Dr. Stowers removes 80% of your stomach. He removes the portion from your stomach’s outer curvature, and a special stapler is used to form a banana-shaped stomach.
In its entirety, gastric sleeve surgery typically takes about one hour. You’ll be under general anesthesia the whole time, so you won’t feel anything or consciously remember the experience. In most cases, you’ll need to spend one night in the hospital recovering before you can go home after gastric sleeve surgery.
Many people trying to lose weight consider gastric sleeve surgery because of the way it reduces your appetite. By having a smaller stomach, you’ll feel full more quickly and become better able to control your portion sizes.
The reduction in your stomach’s size isn’t the only way gastric sleeve surgery helps reduce your hunger.
Ghrelin, a natural stomach hormone, is largely responsible for making you feel hungry and telling you when you need to eat more. Dr. Stowers removes the portion of your stomach that produces ghrelin during your gastric sleeve surgery. Hunger will return, but you will get full quickly due to the reduced stomach size.
The amount of weight you’ll lose with gastric sleeve surgery varies based on how well you commit to the diet and exercise plan required after the surgery. Most people who undergo gastric sleeve surgery lose about 35-40% of their excess weight within 12-18 months of their surgery.
Dr. Stowers gives you a detailed set of instructions to follow before your gastric sleeve surgery. They can vary according to the individual but generally include:
Dr. Stowers and his team work closely with you before surgery to ensure you’re on track for a successful operation. You will know exactly what to expect before surgery, the day of surgery, and after surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery is an excellent option for weight loss surgery to set the stage for healthy long-term changes. To find out if you’re a candidate, call The Bariatric Experts for a consultation or book your appointment online today.
