Understanding the Weight Loss Journey: Stomach Sleeve Before and After

Are you considering a stomach sleeve? The before and after can be remarkable.

Embarking on a weight loss journey is an exciting decision that has the potential to add great value to the rest of your life. One of the most effective surgical options today is the stomach sleeve, also known as sleeve gastrectomy. It's gaining immense popularity due to its simplicity and great effectiveness. Today it is the most common weight loss surgery performed in the world.

If you're considering this life-benefiting surgery, it's important to understand what to expect before and after the stomach sleeve procedure.

Before the Stomach Sleeve: Preparation is Key

Before undergoing a stomach sleeve procedure, thorough preparation is essential. This preparation involves both physical and mental readiness. Here's what to expect in the weeks leading up to your surgery:

1. Initial Consultation: The journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with a bariatric surgeon. During this visit, the surgeon will assess your medical history, conduct necessary tests, and discuss your weight loss goals. It's also a time to ask questions and address any concerns.
2. Pre-Surgical Diet: Patients are often required to follow a specific pre-surgical diet. This diet is designed to shrink the liver and reduce fat around the stomach, making the surgery safer and more effective. The diet typically includes high-protein, low-carbohydrate meals and may need to be followed for several weeks before the procedure.
3. Lifestyle Changes: Adopting healthier habits is crucial even before the surgery. This requires nothing fancy, healthy food choices, portion control and exercise that amounts to simply - walking daily. These changes after surgery will maintain your weight loss and improve overall health and surgical outcomes.
4. Mental Health Preparation: Weight loss surgery is a major life event that requires mental readiness. The best surgical weight loss clinics offer counselling and mental health support to help patients prepare for the emotional aspects of their journey. Don’t underplay this critical component. Understanding the changes to your body and lifestyle can ease your recovery post-surgery.

The Stomach Sleeve Surgery: What Happens During the Procedure?

The stomach sleeve procedure itself involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving a sleeve-shaped tube. This smaller stomach size restricts food intake and helps patients feel full sooner. Here's a brief overview of what happens during the surgery:

1. Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring the patient is asleep and pain-free during the surgery. The best surgical practices find the most experienced anesthesiologists to ensure your pain and nausea is as minimal as can be possible after surgery.
2. Laparoscopic Surgery: Most stomach sleeve surgeries are performed laparoscopically. This minimally invasive technique involves making several small incisions in the abdominal wall. A laparoscope, a thin fiber optic camera, is inserted to guide the surgeons. Only expert surgeons - specifically bariatric trained surgeons are the most equipped to handle the complexities of sleeve surgery in this method. Safety and Quality must come first.
3. Stomach Removal: The surgeons remove approximately 60-80% of the stomach using specialised surgical tools. The remaining portion remains in the abdomen, with 3 layers of surgical staples to create a sleeve-like structure.
4. Recovery: The surgery typically takes less than 1 hour, followed by a recovery period in the day unit. Patients are closely monitored and gradually introduced to a liquid diet during this time. On average, most patients are ready to go home after 5-6 hours in the recovery unit. Every week you advance your diet from liquid to soft foods by the end of the first month. It is very manageable and patients often tell us that it was so much easier than expected. It is recommended you take some time off after surgery but if you want to quickly get back into the thick of things - after about 10 days you feel near fully recovered. Everybody experiences recovery differently, but an expert group of surgeons to guide you along the way is the only way to ensure you are making healthy and responsible decisions.

After the Stomach Sleeve: Living Your Best Life

The journey after the stomach sleeve surgery is where the real exciting changes happen. Top-notch, surgeon and clinician led aftercare is crucial for healing and adapting to a new way of living. Here's what to expect in the weeks, months, and years after the procedure:

1. Immediate Recovery: In the initial weeks after surgery, patients follow a manageable diet progression. It starts with clear liquids, moving to pureed foods, and eventually soft solid foods. Adhering to this diet plan is so helpful to help you ease into your newly shaped stomach.
2. Nutritional Guidance: Long-term success after stomach sleeve surgery depends on a balanced diet. Patients work closely with doctors and dieticians to ensure they receive the right nutrients. Protein intake is emphasised, and vitamin and mineral supplements are necessary.
3. Regular Follow-Ups: Regular follow-up appointments with the bariatric surgeons and medical doctors are essential after surgery. These visits monitor progress, address concerns, and adjust the diet and exercise plan.
4. Emotional Support: The emotional aspect of weight loss should not be overlooked. Many patients benefit from counselling to navigate the mental health changes that accompany significant weight loss.
5. Physical Activity: Regular physical activity is beneficial for maintaining weight loss and overall health. Low-impact exercises like walking and eventually swimming are all that are required. No heavy weights in the early stages of weight loss. Slow incremental progress is the best.  

The Remarkable Results: Stomach Sleeve Before and After

The change seen in stomach sleeve patients is often dramatic. Many lose 60-70% of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. Beyond the numbers on the scale, patients experience significant improvements in their overall health. Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea frequently improve or resolve entirely. Weight loss for those suffering from obesity can add between 3-10 years to one’s life - years spent with family, enjoying the world while traveling and leaving an important impact on the lives of others. Studies have shown that individuals who undergo bariatric surgery have a lower mortality rate than those who do not. 

The MyLife Bariatrics Impact: Stomach Sleeve Before and After

Stomach sleeve surgery offers a life-changing opportunity for those struggling with obesity. Proper preparation, a committed mindset, and ongoing support are key to success. 

By embracing the journey and making lasting lifestyle changes, patients can achieve life changing results and look forward to a healthier, happier future.

What is the MyLife Advantage?

1. Surgery by leading Canadian Bariatric Surgeons, Dennis, Ari & Karim
2. Surgery in as low as 2-3 weeks from consultation, always on your timeline
3. The Most Comprehensive AfterCare program, all included
4. Empathetic and Compassionate Care from admin, nurses, doctors and surgeons

Are you interested in learning more about stomach sleeve surgery? 

Book a consultation with us today or call MyLife Bariatrics at (416) 249-7899. You can also visit mylifebariatrics.com and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

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