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What can I expect from the Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure?
- Since the Sleeve Gastrectomy is performed laparoscopically, using tiny incisions, there is minimal discomfort and downtime.
- General anesthesia is used. Incisions are additionally numbed using local anesthesia.
- The procedure takes about 60 minutes to perform.
- There is usually a 1-2 night hospital stay.
- The patients are started on ice-chips the following morning, and advanced to a liquid diet on day 2.
- The Sleeve Gastrectomy can be used for patients with a body mass index greater than 35.
- It can be performed laparoscopically using 1 to 2 incisions through the belly button, or the abdominal wall.
What can I expect after treatment?
- Return home in 1-2 days.
- Most patients return to work after 1 week.
- Wait 2 weeks for light lifting.
- Wait 6 weeks for heavy lifting
- Liquid diet for week 1
- Pureed foods for week 2
- Soft foods for week 3.
- Solid diet week 4 and thereafter.
- You will be guided every step of the way by Dr. Mehta, Dietician, Nurse Practitioner, and the office staff who are Dr. Mehta’s patients and have had Gastric Bypass themself.
- Support groups are available monthly.
- Weight loss can be 65-75% of your extra weight. It can often be higher if you eat a high protein, low fat, and low carbohydrate diet, stick to small portions, and exercise routinely.
Is the Sleeve Gastrectomy Safe?
- Since this operation does not involve any "re-routing" or reconnecting the intestines, it is a simpler and safer operation than the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch.
Benefits
- It can be safer than the Gastric Bypass.
- There is no foreign prosthetic device in the patient’s body, as in the Gastric Band.
- No risk of developing ulcers or dumping syndrome (sugar intolerance), as seen in the Gastric Bypass.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Cost
- Most insurance companies pay for this procedure.
- With insurance, the patient portion is approximately $2,500
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