Getting a gastric sleeve is a great way to lose weight and to recover from different health conditions as obstructive sleep apnea, joint pain, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, fatty liver disease, urinary incontinence, migraine, infertility, and more. The gastric sleeve has been proven to be an effective and safe method for the treatment of obesity, and it is also the most requested and practiced bariatric surgery worldwide. 59% of bariatric surgeries done worldwide account for gastric sleeve surgeries according to the latest International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders’(IFSO) [1] report, so we are talking about a very popular bariatric surgery, requested by many patients that are looking for a safe and proven way to improve their health and quality of life.
During a gastric sleeve surgery, your stomach gets stapled vertically and 80% of it is removed. Only 20% of stomach remains, given the shape of a narrow tube, similar to a banana or a sleeve, hence the name of the surgery. This surgical procedure is done with laparoscopic methods, so you won’t be cut open or anything. The surgical staple is a long, lean needle-looking object that is inserted in the abdomen through minor incisions. The surgeon monitors the whole process with a laparoscopic camera that is inserted through the belly. The patient remains sedated and asleep during the intervention and she/he/they can expect a fast recovery after a 1-night or 2-night stay at the recovery room, a four to six weeks mandatory rest, and a 2 months post-surgical diet that progresses from liquids to pureed, soft and solid foods.
What this bariatric surgery accomplishes is that it restricts the size of the stomach so the patient can eat smaller portions and feel satiated sooner. This procedure also limits the production of ghrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone”, which regulates appetite by sending hunger signals to the brain. So, basically, with a gastric sleeve surgery, your body is mentally and physically geared for receiving less food.
Gastric sleeve surgeries are usually meant for patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 are also eligible for this surgical procedure if they are struggling with high risk health conditions usually associated with obesity, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease or others.
How much weight can one expect to lose after gastric sleeve surgery?
That will depend on many factors, mostly, the patient’s initial BMI before surgery and his compliance to the surgeon’s instructions and nutritional recommendations after surgery. But one can expect to see major weight loss changes as soon as 6 months and as long as 3 years after a gastric sleeve surgery.
The average body weight loss after at least a year of a gastric sleeve surgery is of 31% [1]. Evidence shows that weight loss after this surgery can range between 50 and 70% of excess body weight, which represents the difference between your ideal weight and your initial weight before surgery. However, for more impressive, long-lasting weight loss results, patients should adopt healthy eating habits and keep physically active with exercise or moderate daily activity.
Bariatric Surgery at LIMARP
At LIMARP we offer an integral bariatric program for obesity which includes either a surgical treatment like a gastric sleeve, a mini gastric bypass, a traditional gastric bypass or a duodenal switch, or a non-surgical treatment like an intragastric balloon or a gastric band, along with multidisciplinary interventions like psychological counselling, nutritional guidance and a personalized exercise routine. The program is tailored to every patient’s needs and for each step of their treatment. It also has a complete and integral long-term follow-up program for every patient that can be monitored through a very convenient digital app that you can download on your phone.
Before and After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Transformations
At LIMARP, we have practiced more than 3,000 gastric sleeve surgeries and we have treated more than 10,000 patients who have travelled from all over the world, mainly United States, Canada, Europe, and states inside of Mexico, to receive top quality treatment. Join us in this post to see their stories and their astonishing transformations before and after their surgical intervention.
Meet Miriam
Miriam received a gastric sleeve surgery and since then has experienced major changes. She mentions that her journey with her obesity treatment lead her to more conscious ways of eating and connecting with her own self. Can you believe her before and after?
Meet Mirelle
Mirelle received a gastric sleeve surgery at LIMARP, with surgeon Dr. Liza María Pompa González. She lost 100 pounds after her operation. After her surgery she started to feel more energized and started doing things she had stopped before. You can hear her experience yourself in the next video.
Meet Leticia
Leticia’s life changed after receiving her gastric sleeve surgery. She lost 145 pounds after her intervention and she improved not only her physical health but also her psychological wellbeing.
Meet Nina
Before her gastric sleeve surgery, she weighted 209 pounds, she suffered high blood pressure and she had had 2 strokes. Her health was at major risk before surgery. With her surgery, not only did she loose major weight, she also recovered her health and is out of risk.
How does losing 100 pounds looks like?
See for yourself. This satisfied patient received her gastric sleeve surgery weighing 225 pounds. You can see her one-year transformation in the next photos. She irradiates confidence, doesn’t she?
Meet Gisell
Here’s Gisell’s testimony, in her own words:
I have changed a lot since my surgery, I have more energy, I don’t snore anymore and when I go for a walk I don’t get tired like I used to. I have also learned to eat much healthier, with adequate portions.
I feel a lot more self-confident, I like the way I look and enjoy buying pretty clothes. I also love it when people around me say “Gisell, you look great!”
I completely recommend Dr. Pompa and her team at LIMARP because of their excellent service, they always answered all of my questions. There is no doubt, they are the best!
Meet Marie
Marie’s surgery improved her overall health and boosted back her energy and confidence to do the things she had stopped doing before. Here’s her testimony:
The surgery reduced the arthritic pain in my knees. I was able to walk pain free and therefore get more exercise. Just putting on clothes that were loose made me feel better about myself.
I was able to travel with my husband on his motorcycle last summer. Something I hadn’t done for years. We travelled to the Yukon and Alaska. It was great.
It’s something that I wish I had done many years sooner. It made me feel good about myself once again. I still have struggles but I’m learning that I can control it better.
We have thousands of satisfied patients:
Take a look at some of our patient’s before and after surgery photos.
Contact us today
If you are interested in receiving treatment for obesity or any kind of bariatric surgery, please call us to the phone number (619) 270-8823 or send us a message through this website or any of our social media pages. We can discuss your options and schedule a free consultation. Our team of experts will be glad to help.
Bibliography
[1] International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (2019). The 5th IFSO Global Registry Report. https://www.ifso.com/pdf/5th-ifso-global-registry-report-september-2019.pdf