Sleeve Gastrectomy

Why Iran?

Before having any cosmetic surgery, you should consult with a knowledgeable specialist to ensure you have made a rational decision. In this case, you will have the opportunity to express your expectations and goals as well. To go through this critical stage, you should look for an expert who understands your concerns and can propose a satisfactory solution. Iranian cosmetic surgeons are the ones you can easily trust to ask any question you have. They have extensive knowledge and invaluable experience specially in this field. They perform many cosmetic surgeries successfully every year and can help you meet your needs. You can make sure they will choose the most suitable procedure that enhances your appearance considerably, inform you of the whole operation, and clarify the healing process. Additionally, if you decide to get these surgeries in Iran’s specialized clinics, you will be offered the most up-to-date services with a low cost. Thus, you can save considerable amount of money while traveling to this beautiful country for enhancing your appearance.

What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Sleeve gastrectomy, also called a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical weight-loss procedure suitable for overweight people who have not successfully reduced their weight via exercise or diet. In this operation, about 80 percent of the stomach is surgically removed, which reduces the stomach volume to less than its half. This surgery will result in a tube-shaped stomach about the size and shape of a banana, restrict the amount of food you can consume, and prompt hormonal changes that are influential in weight loss. Accordingly, patients won’t be able to eat as much as they used to and will feel full quicker than before. In addition, undergoing this operation can extremely reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

Who Can Benefit From Sleeve Gastrectomy?

This operation can be an effective solution for you if your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). However, if your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity) and you struggle with a serious weight-related health problem such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, you can still think of this operation as a suitable option since it can help you get rid of all these problems as well. You must also try your best to live a healthy lifestyle, have a well-balanced diet, and exercise regularly after the operation. Indeed, you should make permanent changes in your daily eating habits. You need to have checkups frequently as well to monitor your nutrition and evaluate your medical conditions.

Procedure

This surgery usually takes about an hour. Doctors mostly prefer general anesthesia for their patients to ensure their comfort during the operation. At first, specialists make a few small cuts in the belly and insert a laparoscope, an instrument with a tiny camera that sends pictures to a monitor. Next, they will create a narrow sleeve by stapling the stomach vertically and remove the larger, curved part of the stomach. Finally, they will reattach the rest of the stomach to form the "sleeve" or tube.

Recovery

You will have to stay in hospital for about 2 or 3 days following surgery which typically takes 40-70 minutes. It’s better to ask someone to take care of you for a while. During this period, you are recommended to drink plenty of water in order to stay hydrated. Feeling pain from the small incisions can usually be relieved with pain medications if prescribed by your doctor. You should start your clear liquid diet the morning after their surgery and are permitted to walk a few hours. This diet will be continued for a week, which will gradually progress to soft foods for three weeks and finally to regular foods almost four weeks after the surgery. You will need to take a multivitamin twice a day, a calcium supplement once a day, and a vitamin B-12 injection once a month for life. You should also have frequent medical checkups in the first several months after weight-loss surgery.

Majority of patients can go back to work and begin exercising after two to four weeks. You don’t need to worry if your skin becomes dry or your mood changes. These are totally natural since your body reacts to the rapid weight loss in the first three to six months after the surgery. If you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, you can easily avoid such complications.

The Results

Normally, people will lose about 60-70% of their excess weight gradually after the surgery. The details are explained in the following:

• The first two weeks: 10-20 pounds; most patients lose about one pound a day
• The first three months: 35-45% of excess weight loss
• The first six months: 50-60% of excess weight loss
• The first year: 60-70% of excess weight loss

Fortunately, sleeve gastrectomy success rate is about 80-90%, and a long-term weight loss can be provided. Depending on your diet and the changes you make in your lifestyle, the amount of weight you lose will be changed. The other problems you may struggle with such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes will be completely resolved as well. By enhancing your ability to do routine daily activities, it can significantly improve the quality of your life.