Gastric Sleeve surgery, also called “Bariatric” surgery or “sleeve gastrectomy,” is a routine procedure in which the ultimate goal is weight loss. In this procedure, the surgeon removes a large part (up to 75 percent) of the patient’s stomach.
The result is a reduction in the effect the hunger hormone ghrelin has on the body. The patient is left with a reduced urge to eat, further promoting the procedure's weight-loss goal.
It is important to understand that this procedure alone won’t be enough to achieve ultimate weight loss results, but it does give patients a significant edge.
In this post, we will talk about what patients can expect before and after the procedure, as well as some other useful tips for anyone looking to try this weight loss surgery.
The first step is to determine if you are eligible for this surgery. The rule is simple: If your Body Mass Index is above 40 or a bit lower (35) but you have another condition related to obesity, like diabetes or high blood pressure, then you should be eligible. There are other factors that influence this decision, so talk to your chosen doctor and carefully listen to what he or she has to say.
If you are eligible, you will be given a strict diet and exercise regimen to prepare for the surgery. Some patients will be requested to prove that they tried to lose weight through diet and exercise but were unable to do so.
Then, the surgery comes, and after it is complete, the healing process can begin. Let’s explore it month by month.
During the first few days after the surgery, you will be instructed to stay for three days in the medical institution where you had the procedure. Here, medical experts can monitor your condition and act should the need arise.
After the surgeon determines that you are ready to be discharged, someone will give you a ride home. If you are staying in a hotel, you will be taken there. Your post-op recovery journey begins now. You are instructed to rest, eat healthy foods, and slowly introduce simple physical exercises to promote healing.
30 days after the surgery, you will feel much better. In the following 30 days, you are instructed to continue eating healthy foods, improve your exercise regimen, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In terms of foods, it is highly recommended to eat boiled white meat for proteins, boiled vegetables, and other forms of healthy food. In terms of exercise, you shouldn’t go overboard. Follow your body’s responses, and don’t overdo it.
If you notice that you are too tired after your exercise, consider lowering the number of reps next time.
60-65 days after the surgery, all the soreness from the operation should be gone. If not, it should be more than manageable. You will feel good as new.
To promote further weight loss and improve your physique, you are advised to continue with a healthy diet and pump up your exercises. The gastric sleeve is not a magic weight loss solution. You need to put some work in if you want to look good.
Therefore, if you want to look good long-term, you should follow your doctor’s advice.
Given that you will lose weight fast, you will have instances of excess loose skin. Most patients who undergo bariatric surgery have chronically stretched-out skin. And, since you will lose weight fast after the surgery, your skin won’t be able to magically snap back to its former glory.
The good news is that this is a normal thing that happens to almost all patients, and there is a solution. The faster option is to look into cosmetic surgery options to remove the excess skin. The second, and infinitely cheaper option, is to continue your exercises and wait for your skin to deflate and return to how it was before you started experiencing weight problems.
The most important advice here is to look for a surgeon with experience and a proven track record of impressive weight loss surgery before and after results.
Most US-based professionals charge a steep price, but Turkey is a popular destination for medical tourism, especially because surgeons there have a lot of experience. Due to the highly competitive market, their prices are only a fraction of what you will find in the US.
If you are looking for weight loss surgery in Turkey, you will certainly stumble upon Dr. Gökçe and his establishment. Patients choose him exactly because his team has a proven track record. He is a suitable example of what you should be looking for in a weight loss surgeon.
