Sleeve Gastrectomy – Dr. Pradeep Kumar Pallati

Sleeve gastrectomy, also called a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical weight-loss procedure. This procedure is performed laparoscopically, which involves inserting small devices through multiple small incisions in the abdomen. During sleeve gastrectomy, about 80% of the abdomen is removed which can be about the size and shape of a banana.

1. What is Sleeve Gastrectomy?

It is a surgery where in around ¾ of the stomach is removed by laparoscopy and restrict the amount of food that you can eat. This is primarily done for weight loss.

2. What is the age recommended for this procedure?

This is recommended for anybody over 16 years of age who is morbidly obese that means BMI more than 40 or more than 35 with co-morbidities. In our Indian population, we started doing BMI more than 30 if you have significant health problems that require weight loss.

3. Is Sleeve Gastrectomy recommended for older people?

Yes, this surgery is recommended up to the age of 70. Age is no bar for this surgery per say. But we also look at how much life expectancy you have left and how many health problems you have. If you are fit and healthy, 70 year old and  who is just obese and who has health problems and who is willing to go to surgery we can offer this.

4. Are there any restrictions on food?

After the Sleeve Gastrectomy, the 1st two weeks you will be on a liquid diet and after for 4 weeks you will be on a soft diet, but after that you should be able to eat everything that everybody else is able to eat. But you are able to eat only small quantities. Since you are eating small quantities we suggest you emphasise on healthy foods after the surgery.

5. How much weight can you expect to lose?

You can expect weight loss with this surgery upto 60 to 70 % of excess weight. That means, If you are, let say 50 kilos over the ideal weight, you can expect at least 30 to 40 kilos of weight loss with this surgery. Usually happens over the 6 months to 1 year after the surgery.

6. Benefits of the surgery

The benefits of the surgery are not only the weight loss, but also the health problems will get better after the surgery including the Diabetes Mellitus , Hypertension (high BP), PCOD, Fatty Liver. All these health problems will get better with the weight loss. So this is very good surgery recommended, if you are morbidly obese and have health problems.