If you are suffering from obesity, you’ve likely considered, “does gastric sleeve work?”. The most simplistic answer to your burning question is yes! In 2023, sleeve gastrectomy gastric sleeve is considered one of the most effective bariatric procedures in Australia.
Dr Ken Wong is an experienced gastric sleeve surgeon that locals trust. After conducting hundreds of metabolic and bariatric surgery procedures each year, Dr Ken Wong can confidently state that most gastric sleeve cases are successful.
But does gastric sleeve always work? The truth is that gastric sleeve weight loss rate is dependent on numerous physical, dietary, social and emotional health considerations. Successful weight loss surgery requires a multidisciplinary approach to a healthy lifestyle and a long-term commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Gastric sleeve surgery patients may put weight back on post-surgery if a comprehensive combined approach to physical exercise, diet and mental well-being is not applied.
However, in the vast majority of cases, gastric sleeve surgery is a compelling long-term solution to significantly reducing weight and keeping it off. Let’s investigate some of the reasons why gastric sleeve is successful in the majority of patients. We’ll also consider some of the long-term healthy and balanced lifestyle habits that will help patients foster a successful weight loss journey.
Does Gastric Sleeve Work?
Exactly how successful is gastric sleeve surgery in 2023? Those who are considering bariatric surgery will be pleased to know that the surgery is successful in 90% of cases. According to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, gastric sleeve surgeons expect patients to lose at least 50% of excess weight within 18 to 24 months following weight loss surgery. Others can lose up to 60 – 70% of excess weight within the same period.
Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective and rapid weight loss methods for those suffering from severe obesity. The success of weight loss surgery is dependent on numerous factors, including age, pre-surgery weight, level of obesity and the patient’s ability to exercise. Along with these factors, one of the most critical aspects of bariatric surgery’s long-term results is a commitment to long-term lifestyle changes. However, to give you a general estimate, gastric sleeve surgery is successful in approximately 90% of patients. Most gastric sleeve surgery patients will experience about 1kg of weight loss every week after the weight loss surgery until a healthy weight is reached.
The two ways in which bariatric surgery can aid significant weight loss is by:
- Reducing the size of the stomach and the amount of food that an individual can comfortably consume.
- Removing the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin — a hormone that controls hunger and appetite.
Long term health considerations for those wondering, “does gastric sleeve work?” include a reduction in physical negative health implications of obesity, including back pain, sleep apnoea, hypertension, high cholesterol and easier management of type 2 diabetes. Once you have considered “does gastric sleeve work?”, it’s time to consult a healthcare professional to understand whether you qualify for the surgery.
Qualifying for Gastric Sleeve Surgery in 2023
Candidates should identify whether they are suitable for bariatric surgery before considering the efficacy of whether or not gastric sleeve will work for them.
There are obesity eligibility criteria that a team of medical professionals must first assess before deciding to undertake the surgery. The easiest way to understand if you qualify for weight loss surgery is to calculate your Body Mass Index or BMI.
The formula for a BMI calculation is BMI = kg/m2. In this calculation, kg should be considered a patient’s weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in metres squared. The BMI is a helpful calculation for adults aged 18-65 to indicate a healthy weight range. However, BMI should be used alongside other measures such as waist circumference to identify whether a patient falls within a healthy weight range or not.
Suitable bariatric surgery candidates typically have a BMI of 30 or above and suffer at least one other obesity-related health concern such as type 2 diabetes. Most bariatric patients have a BMI of 40 or above, which translated to being approximately 45 kg overweight.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Is Just the Beginning
When considering, “does gastric sleeve work?” it’s critical to remember that the weight loss journey encompasses a long-term lifestyle change. This lifestyle change requires a rigorous assessment of patients’ physical, psychological, social, and emotional well-being. The gastric sleeve also requires a long-term commitment by the patient to establish a healthier lifestyle.
We need to be clear about this – if you’re prepared to undergo surgery but, you’re not interested in making significant lifestyle changes, a gastric sleeve procedure is not for you, and you won't lose weight in a long term, sustainable fashion. You will drastically lose weight, only to regain it when you do not make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle.
At Central Coast Surgery, we believe in a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss surgeries. Dr Ken Wong, an experienced gastric sleeve surgeon, is backed up by a team of psychologists, dieticians, and esteemed specialist physicians. Our team work together to guide the patient through pre-surgery preparation and post-surgery best practices for losing weight.
Factors Influencing Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Rate
We’ve discussed gastric sleeve surgery’s success rate and what qualifies a patient to be eligible for bariatric surgery. But does gastric sleeve always work? Numerous overall health elements will influence gastric sleeve weight loss rate, including physical health and dietary considerations. In the next section of this article, we will examine these factors in more detail.
Physical Health Considerations
If you’re wondering “does gastric sleeve work?” one of the most critical elements of health that should be examined is physical health. Bariatric surgery is highly effective in reducing the risk of obesity-related physical health conditions that can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life, such as back pain, sleep apnoea, hypertension, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
Aptly named, laparoscopic surgery involves removing a large section of the stomach and leaving behind a pouch or “sleeve” for digestion. Gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic (or more commonly known as keyhole) procedure rather than open surgery. Therefore, the surgery is a relatively simple procedure that only requires a small incision in the abdomen. The mild discomfort after the patient’s surgery should be resolved within four days of the surgery, and the pain is typically not physically limiting.
The healing and recovery process of gastric sleeve surgery should be relatively quick. The patient can undertake a new physical health regime and exercise habits throughout the recovery process. In any quality surgical practice, a physician will be onboarded throughout the gastric sleeve journey to examine your physical health before the surgery and help develop physical health goals post-surgery.
Dietary Determinants
It’s widely understood that weight loss surgery leaves patients with a smaller stomach pouch, preventing them from overeating. But did you know that gastric sleeve surgery involves removing the stomach section that produces the appetite hormone? Despite most gastric sleeve surgery patients reporting a lack of hunger and appetite post-surgery, your body still needs the right nutrients to function normally and ensure a speedy recovery.
When answering the question, “does gastric sleeve work?”, we always consider a healthy diet as one of the critical factors that will allow a successful gastric sleeve journey. A specialist dietician will assist the patient in post-surgery dietary care, including outlining the types of foods rich in nutrients to eat and the different food consumption phases. Each patient is unique; however, we have provided a brief overview of post-surgery food consumption expectations below.
24-48 Hours Post Surgery
The patient should consume only liquids at room temperature.
3-7 Days Post Surgery
Introduce liquid foods to the diet.
1-2 Weeks Post Surgery
The patient can consume pureed or mashed foods.
2 Weeks Post Surgery
The integration of soft foods and crackers into the diet of the patient is commenced.
1 Month Post Surgery
Solid foods become a part of the diet.
2+ Months Post Surgery
A regular, balanced diet, as outlined by the dietician, is now accessible to the patient.
After a bariatric procedure, patients can overcome long term vitamin deficiencies with the help of a dietician. The most common vitamin deficiencies experienced by gastric sleeve patients include vitamin B12 absorption, iron, calcium and folate. The vitamin deficiencies are treated by integrating a healthy, balanced diet outlined by a dietician or other healthcare professional.
Obesity Treatment for Better Health Outcomes
So, does gastric sleeve work? According to bariatric surgery statistics, gastric sleeve surgery can deliver excellent immediate and long-term health benefits that extend far beyond physical health outcomes. Our specialist multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physicians, dieticians and psychologists take a holistic approach to pre and post gastric sleeve surgery care. Once you get started on your gastric sleeve journey, our team will be able to outline the extensive health benefits of gastric sleeve surgery adequately.
After reading this article, if you have any further questions, such as “does gastric sleeve work?”, “how successful is gastric sleeve surgery?”, or even a query regarding the gastric sleeve cost in Australia, contact our Central Coast Clinic on 02 4323 7000. Our dedicated, helpful and knowledgeable reception staff will help you with any queries or issues you have. Explore the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery in Newcastle, NSW and start your journey to a healthier you.