Opting for surgery to help with weight loss is not a decision to be made lightly. Instead, your decision is probably the result of years of unsuccessful attempts to shed the weight you desire to lose in order to take control of your overall health. Now that you have resolved that surgery is the ideal action plan for you, you should determine the appropriate surgical approach for your objectives and unique circumstances. To that end, bariatric and general surgeon Dr. Titus Duncan and the expert staff at Peachtree Surgical & Bariatrics would like to point out one of the most recognized procedures available, sleeve gastrectomy. Here is a quick overview on how this process functions to assist you in losing weight quickly and to find out if you are a good fit for the procedure.
Understanding Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Before delving into what this form of bariatric surgery accomplishes, it is crucial to understand what exactly it is. The process begins with tiny cuts in your abdomen and eliminating a section of your stomach using a specialist camera and equipment. This innovative surgical procedure is known as laparoscopy and can considerably mitigate your risks and recovery time.
In most circumstances, 80 to 85% of your stomach is eliminated, leaving you with a tiny tube (or sleeve) that serves as your replacement stomach.
While shrinking your stomach may decrease the amount of food you can consume, your gastric surgeon also eliminates the part of your stomach that produces hunger hormones, which assists you in managing your appetite following surgery. Another benefit of gastric sleeve surgery is that it does not affect your intestines, allowing your body to absorb essential nutrients and vitamins.
Are You A Candidate For Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Typically, anybody with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more is an excellent candidate for weight loss surgery. However, this figure is only a starting point. Aside from BMI, anybody carrying100 pounds or more above a healthy weight is considered a potential candidate.
Likewise, with a BMI of 30 to 35, you could be a fit for gastric surgery if you have a pre-existing condition that places your health in jeopardy and weight loss is the most efficient strategy to restore your health.
Maybe you have attempted to reduce weight for years without success. Although your BMI may not match the requirements, your doctor may sit down with you to discuss your situation and health to establish if you are a good fit for gastric sleeve surgery. In simple terms, at your healthcare clinic, your physician will evaluate eligibility for a gastric sleeve on an individual basis.
Are you living with obesity and obesity-related concerns? If so, weight loss surgery might be an alternative to address your woes, thus, hugely enhancing your life quality. While this article serves as a guide to the eligibility requirements of a gastric sleeve, to accurately determine if this procedure is appropriate for you, you should first arrange a consultation for a comprehensive analysis of your lifestyle and health. Call the Atlanta, GA office or use the online scheduling tool to request an appointment today.
