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  • By Gregory Anderson


    Obesity is a condition that has negatively affected the lives of many individuals in the world today. It is particularly common among people whose daily diet is high in cholesterol and people whose lifestyle is largely sedentary. However, weight gain can occur even in people with a healthy lifestyle. This is especially true if it is genetic or if the individual is diabetic. Surgery is a big savior where lifestyle modification fails to yield positive results. These are some of the basic principles about sleeve gastrectomy New York residents may find useful.

    In simple terms, gastrectomy means removing a part or all of the stomach through surgery. On the other hand, the term sleeve simply refers to a tube like structure. Therefore, sleeve gastrectomy entails longitudinal removal of a large portion of your stomach, leaving only about twenty percent of the original size. In the past, this operation was an initial step in a two step weight loss surgery. With the significant amount of weight loss that occurred soon after this first step, sleeve gastrectomy has in recent times, been done as a stand alone procedure.

    As a patient, one of the requirements before surgery is fasting for at least six hours. Also, one may be required to stop using certain drugs such as contraceptive pills some weeks before the day of surgery. Routinely, the doctor will do some blood tests to make sure to make sure all your systems are optimally working before the operation. Some of the complications to look out for include bleeding, infection and clotting in the veins. These complications are rare when the procedure is done laparoscopically.

    Post operatively, the patient may be in pain and pain medication will be prescribed. It also takes time for bowel movements to return to normal. The initial diet should, therefore, be gentle to the digestive system. The individual can slowly move from taking clear fluids, to semi solids, soft solids to finally resuming normal diet. In the early period after operation, the individual need not engage in strenuous activities as this can result in wound breakdown.

    About sixty percent of the extra weight is shed as a result of sleeve gastrectomy. This happens progressively in a span of approximately one and half years. Weight loss may initially be drastic but usually becomes stagnant at some stage in the journey. The reason for this is that the body tries to adjust to losses by reducing the basal metabolic rate. To counter this plateau period, regular exercises should be given priority.

    The advantage of sleeve gastrectomy over other similar procedures is its short operating time. It is a simple process which does not require altering the length and position of the intestines. Thus, the worry of what is commonly referred to as dumping syndrome as a complication is eliminated. This type of surgery also reduces hunger because it gets rid of the hunger hormone, ghrelin.

    One of the downsides to gastrectomy is hormonal response to sudden significant weight reduction. These hormonal changes result in frequent swings in mood, fatigue and personality. In addition, the surgery does not offer a permanent solution and lifestyle measures have to be strictly observed to ensure the desired weight is maintained.

    In summary, keeping that figure you have always wished to have is not permanently achieved through the surgery alone. The operation totally changes your life. It means making conscious decisions about your diet and making physical exercise your best friend.




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