Gastric sleeve surgery is a procedure in which three-quarters of the stomach is removed.

If you are considering a weight loss procedure, the chances are that you have heard of gastric sleeve surgery. It is a highly effective and safe option, but do you know how it actually works? Read on to find out more about this popular procedure, and if it’s right for you…

What does the process involve?

During a gastric sleeve surgery, Dr Kevin Dolan will make small incisions in your abdomen, through which tiny, specialised surgical tools are inserted. The lower section of the stomach, which makes up between 70 and 80 percent of the stomach’s entire lining, is surgically removed. Dr Kevin Dolan will then close the remaining sides of the stomach tube (also known as the sleeve) with the use of a specialised stapling device.

The procedure works to restrict the amount of food that you are able to consume because so much of the stomach is removed. It also reduces the amount of hunger hormone (known as ghrelin) that the stomach is able to produce, decreasing the feeling of hunger in between meals. Because the size of the stomach is so significantly reduced, you will have a reduced appetite and eat smaller portions of food following the surgery.

What are the benefits of the procedure?

There are a number of benefits to choosing a gastric sleeve procedure, although the best way to know if the surgery is right for you is to come in for a consultation with Dr Kevin Dolan. He will explain how the procedure works in detail, and let you know if you are well suited to the surgery, depending on your particular goals and overall health.

One of the major benefits of gastric sleeve surgery is that the part of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone ghrelin is removed, so you will feel less hungry following the procedure. This makes it easier to eat smaller portions. The procedure is also laparoscopic, which means that it is less invasive than traditional open surgery. Scarring is generally minimal, and recovery is usually fairly quick.

Some other advantages of the procedure include the fact that digestion functions normally after surgery, and the stomach openings and nerves remain unchanged and intact.

What can I expect after gastric sleeve surgery?

After you have been through gastric sleeve surgery, you will need to stick to a liquid diet for around two weeks following the procedure. You will then need to eat a pureed diet for the next two weeks. After around a month following surgery, you should be able to start eating normal food again. As part of our care plan, you will have access to a dietician who will help you adjust to a new eating plan.

It is also very important that you commit to a healthy, balanced lifestyle as part of your weight loss journey. In fact, surgery is just the beginning. After your procedure, you will need to consult with our team and follow an eating plan, as well as an exercise regime that will be especially designed for you by our exercise physiologist. By following the team’s post-operative recommendations, you can expect to lose around a kilogram per week, until you reach a healthy and stable body weight.

We also encourage you to meet with our counsellor following surgery. Our counsellor will oversee your mental and emotional health and provide you with the support and guidance you need as you embrace your new lifestyle.

If you would like to find out more about gastric sleeve surgery, please get in touch to arrange a consultation. Dr Kevin Dolan has been working in the field for over 15 years and has performed more than 10 000 weight loss procedures throughout the course of his career.