Vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery helps obese patients lose unwanted and often unhealthy pounds. This procedure, according to Surgery.com, decreases the amount of food a patient can consume while maintaining the stomach's ability to function properly. Post-operatively the stomach will only have approximately 15 percent of its previous capacity. Other names for this type of bariatric surgery include sleeve gastrectomy, gastric reduction, greater curvature gastrectomy and parietal gastrectomy.
Surgical Candidates
Obesity is the primary motivation for undergoing vertical sleeve gastrectromy surgery. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute defines obesity as having a body mass index or BMI of 30 or greater with normal ranging from 18.5 to 24.9. Surgery.com attests that obesity can cause multiple physical problems that can lead to life-threatening conditions. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is often a positive choice for weight loss in patients with medical problems that are contraindicated in other procedures, according to Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco.
The Procedure
Surgery.com states vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery will typically occur by laparoscopic intervention. The surgeon will make three or four small incisions in the abdomen. These sterile openings allow for the introduction of a camera and instruments into the abdominal cavity. A large portion of the stomach is then surgically removed, leaving only a tube-like section between the esophagus and the beginning of the intestine. The remaining stomach tissue has minimum ability to stretch. Therefore, the patient can only ingest small portions of food at a time.
Risks
As with any surgery, risks are involved. Surgery.com reports that serious complications, such as a leaking internal incision line, can result in stomach contents in the abdomen, causing infection and re-hospitalization. Strictures or narrowing of the stomach, dehydration, gallstones, and stretching of the remaining stomach tissue are possible. In 10 percent of cases, patients will not lose the expected amount of weight and additional procedures may need to be considered.
Benefits
Surgery.com attests that most patients undergoing the vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery will see a significant weight reduction. Typically 50 percent of the patient's pre-surgery weight will be shed within a year after surgery. Other patients have reported a 33 to 83 percent total weight loss. Benefits such as a decrease in blood pressure, blood sugar, resolution of sleep apnea and correction of blood cholesterol levels may result, according to Surgery.com.
Diet Changes
Sharp Health Care in San Diego states that health care providers typically recommend vitamin supplements such as multivitamins, vitamin B12 and calcium to patients receiving a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The diet will slowly progress from liquid to solid foods over the course of a year. A prescribed eating plan involving low calorie, low carbohydrate, low fat and high protein foods often assists the patient in reaching her weight loss goal. Depending on the individual's level of activity, age and gender, 900 to 1500 calories per day will usually maintain the desired weight.
