Bariatric Surgery Specialist in Sydney
Why is being overweight bad for me?
Obesity increases your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnoea and cancer. It also places you at risk for joint problems and infertility. Being obese can affect your confidence and self-esteem, and contribute to mental health issues.
How can bariatric surgery help?
Bariatric surgery is surgery for the treatment of obesity. Bariatric surgery leads to significant, long-term weight loss, and improved health for people suffering from obesity.
What does bariatric surgery involve?
There are different types of surgical weight loss procedures. At Sydney Surgical Clinic, we recommend the sleeve gastrectomy, as it is safer and has fewer complications than other bariatric procedures.
During a sleeve gastrectomy, part of the stomach is used to create a thin sleeve (about the width of a garden hose), and the rest of the stomach is removed. Following surgery, you will feel full sooner, as the sleeve cannot hold much food. In addition, the remaining part of the stomach produces less of the appetite-stimulating hormone gherlin, which may decrease your desire to eat.
Is bariatric surgery right for me?
Bariatric surgery is generally reserved for people who are morbidly obese, or obese and experiencing health conditions related to their weight. It is recommended when other attempts to lose weight have failed.
Bariatric surgery could be a life-changing investment in your health, but it does require a commitment to permanent lifestyle changes. It is important to realise that a sleeve gastrectomy is irreversible.
What are the benefits of sleeve gastrectomy surgery?
Benefits of sleeve gastrectomy surgery include:
- Rapid weight loss – Most patients lose about 60-70% of their excess weight in the first 2 years after surgery. Much of this weight loss is likely to occur in the first 6 months after surgery.
- Improvement or reversal in health conditions linked to obesity – If you suffer from type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea, it is likely to resolve, or at least improve, as you lose weight after surgery. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels also tend to improve following weight loss surgery.
A sleeve gastrectomy is less likely to cause malabsorption (the inability to absorb certain nutrients) than other surgical weight loss procedures. A sleeve gastrectomy does not bypass any part of the small intestine, and the remaining part of the stomach still functions normally.
What are the risks of sleeve gastrectomy surgery?
As for any major surgery, there are risks involved with a sleeve gastrectomy. Complications that could occur shortly after surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- A leak from the stitched edge of stomach
- Complications of anaesthesia
- Blood clots
- Breathing problems
Longer term risks of a sleeve gastrectomy include:
- Gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage)
- Hernia in the surgical scar
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Low blood sugar
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Vomiting
Complications are prevented as far as possible, and managed by the surgical team, should they occur. In rare cases, complications of a sleeve gastrectomy could be fatal.
What can I expect from the surgery and recovery?
In the weeks before your surgery, you will need to follow a specific diet. We will refer you to a dietician who will assist you with this.
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery is usually done laparoscopically (via keyhole surgery). This results in a quicker and less painful recovery than open surgery.
The surgery itself takes around one hour, and you will likely be discharged from hospital 1 – 2 days after the operation. Recovery at home takes around 2 – 4 weeks. For one month after surgery, you will need to follow a liquid diet.
Permanent lifestyle changes are required following surgery, and your dietician will work closely with you to ensure that your surgery has the best possible outcome.
