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Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

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Sleeve Gastrectomy in a Nutshell

  • The sleeve gastrectomy is a type of bariatric surgery designed to help patients lose weight.
  • The procedure is irreversible and is meant for patients who have tried other non-surgical means to lose weight but have been unsuccessful.
  • A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a type of surgery in which the stomach is cut and stapled. About two-thirds of the stomach will be removed during this procedure.
  • The reduced size of the stomach restricts how much food can be consumed at one go, leading to a reduction in appetite. This allows patients to reduce their calorie intake and achieve long-term weight loss goals.
  • The result of a Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is very good, with about 60% of one’s excess weight being lost over one or two years.

Table of Contents

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

What Is A Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

A sleeve gastrectomy is a bariatric surgery targeted at helping a patient achieve weight loss. This option is usually recommended for patients who may be required to achieve substantial weight loss due to health reasons but have not been able to, despite making changes to their dietary and lifestyle habits, such as exercising.

During a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach is stapled and divided vertically. This procedure requires specially designed surgical staplers using the keyhole or laparoscopic method. By doing this, about two-thirds, or 60% of the stomach will be removed.

The remainder of the stomach is now in the shape of a long narrow tube resembling a shirt sleeve, hence the name. The reduced size of the stomach restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold at a time, thus reducing the patient’s appetite, helping them reduce the calorie intake and achieve long-term weight loss.

Why Should I Consider A Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

A sleeve gastrectomy is used to treat severe obesity. The procedure helps an individual lose excess weight, thereby reducing the risk of contracting weight-related health problems that can be life-threatening, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, type-2 diabetes, stroke and cancer.

A doctor usually recommends the procedure after attempts to lose weight through exercising and diet are unsuccessful.

Not all patients can qualify for sleeve gastrectomy. This procedure is only an option if:

  • The individual’s BMI (Body Mass Index) is 40 or above.
  • The individual’s BMI is between 35 and 39.9, and they display signs of severe weight-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea.
  • The individual’s BMI is between 30 and 34. However, they have serious weight-related health problems that can be life-threatening, and a doctor advises immediate attention.

The patient must also be prepared to make permanent changes to their lifestyle to ensure sustainable weight loss. Such lifestyle changes may include:

  • Long-term follow-up sessions with a doctor
  • Following a nutrition plan
  • Adopting an active lifestyle such as regular exercises
  • Monitoring of medical condition progress

The result of a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is very good, with about 60% of one’s excess weight being lost over one or two years. 

More importantly, this can be maintained for at least five to ten years with close follow-ups with a doctor. Complications from the surgery are also considerably lower compared to traditional open Sleeve Gastrectomy surgeries.

How Does A Sleeve Gastrectomy Work?

The details of a sleeve gastrectomy will depend on the patient’s condition after the doctor’s assessment. A sleeve gastrectomy can be done with traditional open incisions in the abdomen or laparoscopically, which involves smaller incisions made in the upper abdomen.

Regardless of the type of procedure, open or laparoscopic, the patient will be given general anaesthesia and not be conscious during the surgery.

To perform a sleeve gastrectomy, our doctor will need to create a “pocket” by wrapping the top part of the stomach vertically around the lower oesophagus while the more significant curved part of the stomach is removed. This creates a smaller stomach, resembling a sleeve where the name sleeve gastrectomy is derived.

A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is usually the preferred option as the procedure is minimally invasive and has reduced risk compared to open surgery. Moreover, compared to traditional sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has a faster recovery time, significantly less pain, and minimal scarring.

The surgery may usually take up to 2 hours. After which, you will be required to stay in the hospital for observation for signs of complications.

  • A gastroscopy is done to ensure the stomach does not have any disease.
  • A full medical work-up including an ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder is done.
  • Fasting is required 8 hours prior to your procedure.
  • All regular medications will be stopped unless absolutely necessary under a doctors supervision.
  • Be prepared to have an average hospital stay following the procedure in between 2-3 days.
  • The procedure does involve stapling of the stomach. There will be 5 very small wounds to complete
    the laparoscopic or keyhole procedure.
  • Your surgeon will advise you on the specific details.
  • This procedure is not reversible.
  • You will be allowed to drink fluids and eat within the next 24 hours. However, allow your appetite to guide you. Fluid diet is required for the first week.
  • If you experience nausea, stay with clear liquids until it resolves.
  • Resume your normal diet after about a week and after the first review with your doctor.
  • The amount of food consumed will be small and has to be taken slowly.
  • Your doctor will advise on the type of food to be consumed, and encourage you to embark on an exercise regime after a month.

What Should I Eat After A Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Sleeve gastrectomy helps you with lifelong changes in your diet and lifestyle. You may be placed on a liquid diet for the first week after the surgery and require another two weeks of eating soft and pureed foods.

You will likely be able to consume solid food in small portions after that. This food plan is crucial to ensure that your staple lines heal well after the procedure to keep the sleeve in place.

When you can resume eating solid foods, you will be able to eat all foods, but in much smaller quantities. You will feel full and satisfied more quickly after consuming a small portion of food, as the volume of food the pouch can hold is significantly reduced.

Your stomach may be full after eating as little as half a cup of solid food, and this food keeps you satiated for the next few hours. This reduces the amount of food that you can eat at a time. You will also consume food more slowly.

Simultaneously, as sleeve gastrectomy resects your fundus, the main part of your stomach which produces ghrelin, known as the ‘hunger hormone’, decreased levels of ghrelin lead to a reduced appetite and greater satiety. This also helps you lose weight quickly without having to make an intentional effort, unlike dieting.

This means you can still consume most of your favourite foods without having to worry about dumping syndrome, in which you will experience abdominal discomfort and other symptoms. You may take some time getting used to these changes, and they should be permanent. This is what ensures rapid and reliable weight loss.

Our doctor may advise you to take multivitamins and Vitamin B tablets daily and help you make healthy food choices. You may be advised to start an exercise routine as soon as you obtain the green light from our surgeon.

Regular exercise works hand-in-hand with a healthy diet to ensure sustained weight loss and prevent weight regain. Unlike certain types of bariatric surgery, ongoing adjustments do not need to be made. However, regular follow-up with our surgeon is necessary to ensure the pace of weight loss is appropriate, and your intake contains adequate nutrition.

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What Are The Side Effects Of A Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Like any other surgery, a sleeve gastrectomy carries some risks that can be both short or long term. The risks associated with a sleeve gastrectomy can include bleeding from the surgical site, allergic reaction to the anaesthesia, leakage from the stomach, and infection from the wound. However, complications from sleeve gastrectomy are rarely life-threatening.

Severe complications from a sleeve gastrectomy may lead to the following conditions such as:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)
  • Gastrointestinal obstruction
  • Hernia
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and
  • Malnutrition

When conducted laparoscopically, the risk of complication from sleeve gastrectomy is also reduced as the surgery adopts a less invasive method and allows faster recovery time.

What Are The Benefits Of Choosing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Over Traditional Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective procedure where patients can expect to lose around 60 to 80 per cent of their excess body weight and sustain it in the long term.

Furthermore, studies have shown that laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy causes many obesity-related diseases to resolve or improve following surgery, improving an individual’s quality of life.

Successful And Sustained Weight Loss With A Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy helps patients to lose weight more rapidly over a significantly shorter time. 

In many cases, rapid weight loss occurs in the first six months after the procedure and around 70 per cent of their excess weight within one year after the surgery. Studies have found that 60 per cent of this weight loss is maintained in the next five years.

How Can A Sleeve Gastrectomy Improve Or Resolve Obesity-Related Diseases?

Not only does laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy help you achieve significant sustainable weight loss, but it has also been shown to improve or resolve multiple comorbidities linked to obesity.

Studies have shown that more than 75 per cent of patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy will have significant improvement or resolution in many major conditions such as Type II Diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, high cholesterol and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Within one year, patients report 80 per cent resolution for Type II Diabetes, 75 per cent for hyperlipidemia, 83 per cent for hypertension, and 91 per cent for gastroesophageal reflux disease. 

The effect is especially notable in Type II Diabetics, who experience incredible improvement in diabetes control with weight loss. The majority of patients with Type II diabetes go into long term remission. This is a result of the weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery.

High Rate Of Satisfaction And Improvement In Quality Of Life

Following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, patients benefit from this surgery and lead longer, healthier lives.

Within three months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, patients report greater satisfaction due to improved health, better self-image and increased social activity due to weight loss. 

Ninety-three per cent of patients have experienced an enhanced quality of life due to weight loss and better management of obesity-related conditions such as Type II Diabetes and hypertension.

A Sleeve Gastrectomy Has An Extremely Low Risk Of Complications

It is noteworthy that laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a simple procedure as it does not involve rerouting or reconnection of your intestines. Thus, this procedure has a very low rate of complications and quick recovery times.

The surgical risks with a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are highly uncommon and affect less than one per cent of all patients undergoing the procedure. 

There is also less risk of developing vitamin or mineral deficiencies as the food you eat will follow a normal digestive route with no change in your gastrointestinal tract.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is also virtually scarless as your surgeon makes several small incisions instead of a large one. Unlike traditional open surgery, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy causes less pain, reduced risk of wound infection, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery and return to normal activities.

How Much Does it Cost to Have a Sleeve Gastrectomy?

The professional fees for a sleeve gastrectomy surgery can range from $8,000, according to MOH’s Historical Transacted Bill Sizes and Fee Benchmarks. Do note that this refers to the surgeon’s fees before considering your hospitalisation fees in a private hospital, along with your insurance eligibility (e.g. MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans) and MediSave payouts.

At G&L Surgical, we understand the concerns about the cost of undergoing a sleeve gastrectomy. However, as with most bariatric conditions, early treatment can help prevent long term health risks along with improving your quality of life. 

Our team strives to provide transparency with our fees and charges and provide you with the financial counselling necessary so that you can go through the procedure with peace of mind. Contact our team today to find out more. 

You can reach our team at https://www.glsurgical.com.sg/contact-us/ or call us at 6255 1234 to find out more.

Why Choose Us For Your Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy In Singapore?

In this minimally invasive procedure, patients might experience less discomfort and scarring after a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and can engage in normal activities more quickly. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy by Dr Ganesh Ramalingam at G & L Surgical Clinic in Singapore is preferred by patients looking for a reduced recovery period.

Dr Ganesh at G & L Surgical Clinic are strives to prioritise his patients recovery and comfort. Having had adequate experience in performing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies for numerous patients for many years in Singapore.

Furthermore, the staff at G & L Surgical Clinic have been thoroughly and adequately trained to make your experience a comfortable and hassle-free one. Whether you intend to undergo a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or other medical services in Singapore, you can rest assured that you will be properly and sufficiently cared for by trained professionals.

Organise a consultation with our surgeons for further assistance on undergoing a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Singapore.

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