Have you been thinking about having weight loss surgery?
Get in touch
enquiries@thedietologist.co.uk
01213300828
WHAT IS A GASTRIC SLEEVE?
enquiries@thedietologist.co.uk
A Gastric Sleeve is one of the most popular options in weight loss surgery. Also known as VSG or sleeve gastrectomy, the surgery involves removing 80% of the stomach including the fundus (hunger centre) - the surgery works by restricting the size of your stomach, which results in a reduction in the volume of food you eat, and being less hungry, leading to weight loss.
Do I qualify for a Gastric Sleeve?
In the private sector, a potential gastric sleeve patient needs to be aged over 18, have tried to lose weight with diets and medications but failed to maintain weight loss, have a BMI 35 with health issues that can be improved with weight loss, or a BMI of 40 and above with no medical concerns.
The general cost of a gastric sleeve is between £8,000 - £11,000.
But what about the NHS?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend that surgery could be provided on the NHS if a patient meets all of the criteria below:
- You have a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI between 35-40 and have a serious health condition such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure that might be improved with weight loss.
- All other methods of weight loss including diet and exercise have been tried.
- You agree to long-term follow-ups after the procedure, including regular check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- You’re fit enough to have surgery under general anaesthetic
- You have received and will continue to receive treatment from a specialist aftercare team.
Pros and Cons of a Gastric Sleeve
Of course, results following a gastric sleeve procedure will ultimately be weight loss (if you are consistent in your changes to your lifestyle). This will be quite rapid at first, but will eventually slow down. Expected excess weight loss is about 70% at 18-24 month. Some people lose more and some less.
Most patients with Type 2 Diabetes can expect to see remarkable improvement in blood sugar control, often without the need for any regular diabetic medications.
If you eat sweet food you may develop dumping syndrome, where your blood sugars fall rapidly, and you feel hot, dizzy or faint preceded by stomach cramps and diarrhoea.You may experience similar symptoms if you eat fatty food or eat and drink together.
You can develop nutrient deficiencies so a high protein diet and vitamin and mineral supplementation is essential for LIFE.
Some of your hunger cravings will return but it isn’t possible to predict when and how much of the hunger you will feel. It is also quite common for some of the restriction to wear off, which means that you may be able to eat a little more than you did when you initially had the surgery.
The sleeve does not change emotional hunger, previous negative relationship with food and negative habits, cravings or the urge to binge and restrict certain foods. Well supported aftercare needs to be provided by a bariatric dietitian and aftercare specialist to help you develop a positive relationship with food and help to change your mindset.
It is important to note that any surgery is a huge and life-changing decision. A gastric sleeve procedure is not a temporary solution - it is permanent surgery that cannot be reversed as it involves removing a large part of your stomach. However, while it isn’t reversible, it can be converted to another procedure such as a gastric bypass. In my experience it is best to work with a bariatric dietitian if you think you need revisional surgery, rather than paying for a further surgery as sometimes it’s the habits and behaviours that need addressing and managing, rather than a further surgery.
Are you thinking about having a gastric sleeve? Want to know how I can support you in your weight loss journey after the procedure, help change your eating habits and relationship with food?
Book in for a Discovery Call/
Sign up to the 8 Week Program, or visit me on my social media platforms, my
Facebook Group,
instagram, and my
YouTube channel for helpful information, hints and tips and Q&A opportunities!
