A gastric sleeve is one of the most popular forms of bariatric surgery for weight loss. Many people choose this procedure because of its results and how it can produce significant weight loss without diet medication. Dr. Carlos A. Barba MD PLLC is a board-certified bariatric surgeon that can help treat patients in Brownsville, Texas.
The Different Kinds of Bariatric Surgery
Many health conditions can cause obesity. Many individuals opt for a surgical procedure to help lose weight.
Bariatric surgery is an effective method for losing a significant amount of weight. High cholesterol and type 2 diabetes can drastically improve with bariatric surgery. Because it is designed for significant weight loss, surgery often works much faster than dieting or weight loss medication.
Different Options
Bariatric surgery includes multiple different options for weight loss. Two of the most common procedures include gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy. Using bariatric surgery for weight loss, Dr. Carlos A. Barba can help patients with health conditions such as high blood pressure.
Long-term Success
Long-term weight loss success can be challenging regardless of will-power. By choosing a surgical option, weight may be easier to maintain. By reducing the stomach’s ability to store as much, food intake is limited. This can produce the sensation of fullness while eating less. By decreasing the number of calories, these kinds of procedures help reduce weight in a steady trajectory.
The Need for a Medical Specialist
Bariatric surgery should be performed by a medical specialist like Dr. Carlos A. Barba for safe and effective results. A medical professional can assess which types of treatment will best benefit the patient and monitor their current health. Using bariatric surgery can help with cardiovascular health concerns as well as sleep apnea.
How Does A Gastric Sleeve Work?
Gastric sleeve weight loss is not a diet or a dieting device. Dr. Carlos Barba specializes in the latest advances in technology and can use these techniques to enhance treatment. By removing part of the stomach and rejoining the remaining portions, a small “sleeve” is created. This small sack is designed to make patients feel fuller faster.
For those with a body mass index over 40, this type of weight-loss treatment is ideal. Minimally invasive techniques can be used when performing a gastric sleeve. Dr. Carlos Barbara can insert a laparoscope to visually assist with the surgery while a patient is under anesthesia.
Restrictive Surgery
Restrictive surgery is a form of bariatric surgery that can control weight loss by physically containing the stomach. This allows for additional benefits when maintaining weight loss. Reduced hunger is a significant benefit for those who experience difficulty keeping weight off. Since a large part of the stomach is removed, this can reduce the need for so much food.
Quick Procedure
A gastric sleeve procedure is generally considered a quick weight loss procedure. The actual procedure itself takes approximately an hour and a half. After surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for 2-3 days. During this stay, the anesthesia can wear off, and pain is managed with medication. Depending on the job, many people return to work after a week.
Compared to a gastric bypass, a gastric sleeve requires much less time. Dr. Carlos A. Barba can perform a gastric sleeve procedure as a single procedure or as the first step to other gastric surgeries.
What Are the Health Benefits of a Gastric Sleeve?
When controlling weight loss through bariatric surgery, a gastric sleeve can often mean fewer complications.
Reverses Some Maladies
In one study, severely overweight patients with type 2 diabetes had lower coronary artery disease incidences after bariatric surgery. This is just one of many medical conditions that can improve with long-term weight loss.
Aids with Sleep Apnea
A gastric sleeve procedure can help reduce incidents of sleep apnea. This condition occurs when there are breathing irregularities while sleeping. Individuals who have sleep apnea may stop breathing for a specific amount of time before resuming a natural pattern. Many people find relief from sleep apnea if weight loss can be achieved and maintained to prevent potentially dangerous outcomes. Bariatric surgery can help in this process.
Increased Energy and Cardiovascular Health
Extra weight can put significant stress on the cardiovascular system. It may be challenging to find the energy to exercise if it is increasingly difficult to breathe. Weight loss surgery can increase energy by helping with the gradual decrease in weight. This is also beneficial for the knees and the joints.
Who Can Get A Gastric Sleeve?
Before scheduling a bariatric surgery, Dr. Barba will assess whether the procedure makes sense for an individual. By gathering all the necessary information from a patient’s medical history and performing an exam, the surgeon can assess various weight loss options.
In general, patients do best with this form of surgery if they meet specific criteria.
Criteria for a gastric sleeve procedure include:
- A body mass index over 40
- Weight-related health conditions
- Joint pain
Certain medications may be problematic during surgery. For a list of the complete qualifications, contact Dr. Barba for more information. Weight and height calculations are taken into consideration.
What Happens After Surgery?
Results from a gastric sleeve surgery will happen gradually. It is imperative after surgery to continue eating a healthy diet and exercising. Maintaining weight is usually much easier after a gastric sleeve surgery, but lifestyle plays a significant role.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled after the surgery to help with progress while losing weight. Follow-up appointments will also help ensure the surgery is healing as it should. Lifestyle changes are usually recommended before surgery, so they are easier to follow long-term. For more information on making the most of gastric sleeve surgery, having a dialogue with trained medical professionals is key.
Bariatric surgeries can improve the likelihood of long-term weight loss. Surgery may be an option for those who are significantly overweight and cannot decrease weight despite lifestyle changes. There is a high success rate with gastric sleeve surgery, and many patients lose more than half their excess weight. To lose weight safely and effectively, gastric sleeve surgery can help.