Gastric sleeve surgery also known as sleeve gastrectomy or VSG/vertical sleeve gastrectomy has become the most popular weight loss surgery worldwide due to its effectiveness, safety and numerous advantages.
It’s an effective treatment for obesity. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery “gastric sleeve surgery has been shown to be the most effective and durable treatment for morbid obesity”. Most gastric sleeve patients lose an average of 65-70% of their excess weight in a year.
It is a weight loss procedure where a vertical sleeve is created in the upper abdomen to reduce the capacity of the patient’s stomach, restricting the amount of food you can consume. The goal is to make the stomach smaller which in turn decreases appetite, in other words patients eat less food and feel less hungry. In addition, patients who undergo this procedure end up experiencing substantial weight loss and overall health benefits..
Before the weight loss surgery,pre-op exams will be conducted at the hospital to ensure the patient is healthy enough for treatment. This includes the following:
*70% excess weight loss for BMI less than 50 | **Complication rate is less than 4%
Although the length of the procedure will vary, most gastric sleeve surgeries are completed within one and a half hours.
On average, our patients leave the hospital two days after gastric sleeve surgery. A bariatric patient can typically return to work in 2 to 4 weeks depending on the physicality of the job.
You can expect the following during your surgery:
❯ STEP 1: General anesthesia will be administered by an experienced anesthesiologist.
❯ STEP 2: The surgeon will make 3-5 tiny incisions in the abdomen, and insert a laparoscope and other surgical instruments to perform the procedure.
❯ STEP 3: Your bariatric surgeon will remove 60-80% of your stomach which will be shaped as a sleeve. Three titanium staples will be used to staple the stomach.
❯ STEP 4: After the procedure is complete, you will wait for the anesthesia to pass before going back to your private room at the hospital or clinic.
❯ STEP 5: 1 day after the surgery: A high pressure methylene blue leak test is conducted to guarantee that the procedure was successful. The incisions are stitched with dissolvable suturing material.
"I was successfully sleeved at Mexico Bariatric Center on 11/9 and wanted to share my experience for those also interested in having the procedure done in Tijuana..."
The main benefit of gastric sleeve surgery is that patients lose 60-70% of their excess weight. Other health benefits include:
In the United States and Canada the vertical sleeve gastrectomy costs around $15,000 to $20,000. However, the gastric sleeve surgery cost in Mexico is from $3,995 to $7,000. The prices in Mexico are 50% to 70% lower of the prices offered in the United States and Canada.
Mexico has a very affordable cost for a high quality weight loss procedure. Moreover, the low cost does not imply less professional health care services or quality. Contrarily, most facilities providing this procedure are staffed with the best bariatric surgeons in Mexico.
Laparoscopic surgery is cheap in Mexico due to factors such as:
The VSG weight loss surgery is one of the most frequently performed bariatric procedures worldwide. Despite there being risks and unwanted side-effects which are associated with any surgery, gastric sleeve surgery complications are uncommon. The risk of complications can be reduced by carefully following the pre-op, post-op and recovery instructions given by your medical team.
Gastric sleeve in Mexico is safe and reliable. There has been a rise in popularity of weight loss surgery in Mexico.
Less pain, less external scarring, and faster healing have made this procedure a preferred method in many instances. Thousands of patients every year from all over the world travel to Mexico to receive premium medical treatment, world-class success rates show the safety protocols followed by board certified surgeons in Mexico.
It's important to keep in mind that choosing the right surgeon and medical facility plays a big role in the outcome of the procedure and guarantees a professional and safe experience. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it might be. The patient needs to inform himself enough before choosing the facility and surgeon.
In many cases the patient should begin their pre-op diet three weeks before the procedure, this will depend on each surgeon, some recommend 2 days of a liquid diet and others recommend 2 weeks. The dietitian or coordinator will provide more details on when to begin.
The diet is crucial to the surgery’s success because it makes the procedure safer and easier. It helps reduce the fatty deposits around the liver, which improves surgical access to the stomach; It lowers the risk of complications and it starts the patient on the habits they need to make a lifelong commitment to weight control.
The patient will feel better after the procedure and spend more time doing recreational and physical activities. Their self-confidence is increased, they become more productive. Their habits and quality of life will change. In general, this is a big opportunity for the patient to change their lifestyle, eat well, be active and in general be healthy.
| TIME | DIET |
|---|---|
| Three weeks before |
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| 2-3 days before |
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| After the procedure |
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Most patients are discharged from the hospital on a liquid-only meal plan for two to three weeks. After three weeks the diet is usually advanced to soft foods for the next six to eight weeks with a gradual transition to regular consistency foods over the next six to nine months.
Follow up after surgery is extremely important. It's imperative that the patient follows their doctor’s instructions and diet to minimize risks and side effects.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery is only one part of the path to good results. Success is not determined at the time of after leaving the hospital. Weight loss will occur for 12 to 24 months following the operation and patients must follow up doctor instructions.
It’s crucial to understand that bariatric surgery is a tool, not a magic wand and it alone isn’t a permanent solution to obesity. It’s a tool for losing weight. Once it occurs the patient needs to exercise and eat smart to stay slim.
Most gastric sleeve surgery patients lose an average of 2-3 pounds per week.
Yes, up to 3 out of 10 gastric sleeve patients gain weight after reaching their low weight. The amount varies widely by patient, ranging from only a small amount of weight to all of it. It’s usually the result of poor diet choices and lifestyle habits.
You’ll need to change your diet and lifestyle back to the good habits you formed just after surgery, you can also ask for more support online or in-person. It’s important that you talk to your doctor, they will be able to guide you.
Side effects:
• Minor side effects: gas pain, bruising, nausea, inflammation.
• Severe side effects: GERD/Gastritis, pneumonia, blood clots, and gallstones.
Complications:
•Short-term: bleeding and leak.
• Near-term: stomach obstruction, stricture or abdominal abscess.
• Long-term: delayed leak.
Yes, investing in weight loss surgery can save your life. Sleeve gastrectomy has a very low chance of complications. In addition, undergoing this treatment can provide a substantial improvement for obesity-related health issues. Moreover, improving your health can save you money in the long run by reducing medical expenses.
They are members of ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery), IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) and of CMCOEM (College for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases).