What is the sleeve gastrectomy and how does it work?

The sleeve gastrectomy procedure has become the most popular weight loss procedure in the country. Operating time for the gastric sleeve in Houston with Dr. Chaudhry, is anywhere from 60-90 minutes, or half of that of a gastric bypass procedure. Additionally, the sleeve procedure requires no rearranging of the intestinal flow. Patients who undergo this procedure should expect to lose about 70% of their excess body weight over a course of 2 years.

The surgery works by being restrictive as 75% of your stomach is removed from the body, thus making you feel fuller quicker. An additional benefit of the sleeve gastrectomy is that it significantly decreases the amount of Ghrelin in the blood stream, a hormone that is secreted from the removed part of the stomach (the gastric fundus) that is responsible for the hunger drive. Less Ghrelin means less hunger. On average, you should expect to lose 10 pounds every month for the first year. Results vary patient to patient and also vary based on compliance with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

To summarize, the procedure involves these main steps:

• Make small incisions in the abdomen
• Use a laparoscopic camera as a guide through the body
• Staple stomach to smaller size
• Remove excess stomach

Recovery

After your gastric sleeve in Houston is complete, a night stay in the hospital is required, and most patients are discharged to go home the next day. With the help of Dr. Chaudhry and a Registered Dietician your new diet will be set for your to follow after surgery is complete. Dr. Chaudhry will continue to follow up with you a week to 10 days after your surgery. He will remain heavily involved during your recovery to be sure you will get the best results from your procedure. You should expect to see him about 4 times the first year of your surgery. These initial follow up visits assure progress is being made and all questions or concerns are addressed during the early phase of weight-loss surgery. Do not miss these appointments as they will be crucial to your progress.

What to look out for after your procedure

1. Watch your sugar intake. After surgery, it is more important than ever to watch what you eat and drink. Drinking soda for example may not be the best drink to reach for when enjoying a meal. Soda contains empty calories, and an excess amount of unnecessary sugar. Instead, reach for a glass of water or water infused lightly with fruit for added flavor. Watching sugar levels includes watching your intake on heavy sweets like cake and cookies, as well as fruit and fruit juices. You may think they are healthy, and they are in moderation, but too much or simply not reading the nutrition label can be dangerous. Fruit  and fruit juice both contain sugar and can be harmful to the efforts you have put in if you have too much of it every day.
2. Try to form a new habit by not eating and drinking at the same time. This will allow your body to process one food or drink item at a time to make sure digestion stays slow and steady all the way through to the small intestine. Eating and drinking simultaneously can result in items moving through the body too quickly causing unpleasant side effects like nausea or stomach discomfort.
3. To better avoid developing a vitamin deficiency, be sure to take the essential vitamins needed after surgery and beyond recovery. Listen to your body and learn to read the signs when you find you may not be feeling your best. Check in with yourself every day to make sure you have a full supply of whatever vitamins and minerals you need to improve. Do the same with your diet and try to incorporate as many vitamins and minerals possible through various food groups.
4. Reduce restaurant visits. It can be harder to stay on track when you are out at a restaurant. Meal prep if possible to avoid temptation, and ask for healthier options for your meal if you must go out. Do whatever is necessary to make sure you stay on the right track.
5. Stay active. Follow Dr. Chaudhry’s advice exactly during your journey using diet and exercise. Be sure to recover and heal as best you can at first, but when the time is right, get active and set a workout routine that works for you. Start slow and build up from there. Something is better than nothing and a 15-30 minute walk outside can bring more benefits than 15-30 minutes sitting down.
6. Stay positive! Keep your spirits up in any way that you can. Surround yourself with family and friends who can be supportive of your weight loss journey. Look into support groups to listen and discuss with others who have shared your experience. Do whatever feels right in order to stay confident in your progress and in yourself.

Am I a candidate for weight-loss surgery?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions and have a BMI of 35 or more you are a potential candidate for bariatric surgery:

• Am I having trouble losing weight with diet and exercise?
• Do I suffer from joint pain or back pain?
• Do I have diabetes or prediabetes?
• Do I have high blood pressure?
• Do I have high cholesterol?
• Do I have heart disease?
• Do I have sleep apnea?
• Do I have low energy?
• Do I suffer from polycystic ovaries?
• Do I have a poor quality of life?
• Do you feel like a prisoner in your own body and do you feel like you can’t do the things you love to do?

Does my insurance cover the surgery?

At Advanced Houston Surgical, our insurance specialists will determine if your insurance policy provides coverage for bariatric surgery. We will do the background work to determine coverage and Dr. Chaudhry will also work closely with the insurance companies to express medical necessity when applicable during instances of non-coverage.