Gastric sleeve surgery is a surgical solution that permanently reduces the size of your stomach, providing a safe and efficient means for weight loss.
The gastric sleeve procedure helps restrict food intake, suppresses hormones that trigger hunger, and helps your body get back on track with metabolism. It may also alleviate other obesity-related health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Affects You
Weight loss
Gastric sleeve surgery permanently shrinks your stomach, limiting how much food and liquid can be eaten at once. It also alters how your body signals to your brain that you are full, helping you to feel satiated and regulate hunger levels.
Weight loss with gastric sleeve can be dramatic, but it’s not a magic cure-all. To achieve long-lasting success, a change in lifestyle and diet are necessary for optimal success.
In the weeks following surgery, many people experience significant weight loss as their bodies adjust to smaller eating patterns. Once that adjustment period has passed, however, many return to a more normal range of calories and foods.
Due to the calorie-restricted nature of a calorie-restricted diet, it’s essential to get enough nutrients in order to prevent nutritional deficiencies. This can be accomplished through eating a nutritious diet and taking daily multivitamins, calcium supplements, and a monthly B-12 shot.
Diabetes
Studies have demonstrated the benefits of surgical weight loss treatments like gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery for managing diabetes. These procedures reduce food intake, decrease calories absorbed, and help lower blood sugar levels.
Diabetes surgery, when combined with a calorie-restricted diet and regular exercise, can help control or improve your condition and lead to remission (the ability to stop taking all medication).
Many people who undergo this surgery find relief within just a few days after their procedure if they adhere to their doctor’s instructions regarding eating, drinking, and exercising as directed.
Bariatric surgery has also been proven to be highly effective at preventing new-onset diabetes. A study of over 328,509 morbidly obese individuals revealed that 82% of them experienced prevention from type 2 diabetes following gastric sleeve surgery.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition that occurs when the force of your heart’s pump against your artery walls is higher than it should be. This damage to arteries may lead to other health complications like heart disease or stroke.
Normal blood pressure for adults aged 20 or older is lower than 120 systolic (pushing) and 80 diastolic (resting) mm Hg. High blood pressure increases your risk of developing various health conditions like coronary artery disease, stroke, kidney failure or even premature death.
There are various treatments to reduce or manage high blood pressure, mostly through lifestyle modifications such as dieting, physical activity, stress management and home blood pressure monitoring. Before making any decisions about which course of action best suits you, speak to your doctor about the most suitable strategy.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is an often occurring disorder that can have serious repercussions for your wellbeing. It has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke as well as leaving you feeling sleepy or cranky during the daytime.
People with sleep apnea experience breathing pauses while asleep that can last up to 10 seconds or more. This causes oxygen levels in your blood to decrease, and it also prompts your brain to wake you from deep sleep in order to restart breathing.
Your doctor can diagnose obstructive sleep apnea with a physical exam and an advanced machine that records your breathing during sleep. They may also look for other risk factors which could increase your likelihood of developing the disorder.
If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor can treat it with lifestyle modifications and mouthpieces or surgery to reposition your airway. The aim is to help get you sleeping soundly at night without experiencing breathing pauses during the night.
Gastric Sleeve Before and After Skin
Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss procedure that involves removing a portion of the stomach to reduce its size. After the surgery, patients typically experience rapid weight loss, which can cause excess skin to sag due to the skin’s lack of elasticity.
Depending on the skin’s elasticity, excess skin may need to be removed with cosmetic surgery. Gastric sleeve before and after photos can help patients understand how their skin elasticity may be affected after the surgery.
Before the gastric sleeve surgery, the skin is much tauter and covered with fat. However, after the surgery, the skin will sag because the excess fat is gone. Loose skin is a sign that the patient is losing weight, but it can also be a sign that the skin will remain stretched after the procedure.
It is advisable to wait at least 12 months before considering cosmetic surgery to allow the skin to tighten on its own. Patients can also prevent skin sagging by taking precautions such as staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
How to Prevent Sagging Skin After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Sagging skin is a common concern among people who have undergone gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy. While this weight loss surgery can have significant health benefits, it can also lead to excess skin.
Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to prevent or minimize sagging skin.
Exercise regularly
One way to prevent sagging skin is to exercise regularly. This can help limit muscle loss and even produce new muscle mass, both of which can mitigate the amount of sagging skin. By strengthening the underlying muscle, the skin may have more support and be less likely to sag.
Lose weight gradually
Another way to prevent sagging skin is to lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can cause the skin to lose its elasticity too quickly, which can result in sagging. Gradual weight loss gives the skin time to adjust to the changes in the body and may help reduce the risk of sagging.
Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated
It is also important to maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated after gastric sleeve surgery. A healthy diet that includes foods rich in vitamins and nutrients can help keep the skin healthy and elastic. Staying hydrated can also help keep the skin supple and reduce the risk of sagging.
Cosmetic surgery may be an option
In some cases, excess skin may still be present after gastric sleeve surgery. In these cases, cosmetic surgery may be an option to remove the excess skin. However, it is important to wait at least 12 months after surgery before considering cosmetic surgery, as the skin may continue to adjust and tighten on its own during this time.
It is also important to keep in mind that cosmetic surgery is still surgery and should not be entered into lightly.
By following these tips, individuals who have undergone gastric sleeve surgery can help prevent or minimize sagging skin and feel more comfortable in their bodies.
What Are the Risks of Removing Excess Skin After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
While excess skin removal surgery after gastric sleeve surgery can help improve body confidence and reduce functional problems caused by excess skin, it is important to note that it is a major surgery that comes with risks.
The risks associated with this surgery are similar to those of any major surgery, including fluid buildup, infections, bleeding, and wound-related complications. Patients with a BMI higher than 30 may have a higher risk of complications.
Waiting until the patient has finished losing weight and has a stable weight for at least 6 months can help reduce the risks. However, it is important to note that excess skin removal surgery is not always covered by insurance and can be expensive.
Educating oneself about the requirements for success and establishing reasonable expectations for results is crucial. Consulting with a plastic surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery is recommended to discuss the risks and benefits of excess skin removal surgery.
How Long Does It Take for the Skin to Tighten After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
When it comes to gastric sleeve surgery, many patients wonder how long it will take for their skin to tighten after the procedure. According to experts, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the timeline varies from person to person.
Factors Affecting Skin Tightening
Several factors can affect how quickly the skin tightens after gastric sleeve surgery, including age, genetics, and the amount of weight lost. Younger patients tend to see better results than older patients, as their skin is more elastic and can better adapt to changes in body composition.
The amount of weight lost also plays a role in how quickly the skin tightens. Patients who lose a significant amount of weight, especially those who are obese, are more likely to experience sagging skin than those who lose smaller amounts of weight.
Results and Permanent Solutions
While some patients may see results immediately after the procedure, it is important to note that these results are not permanent. Further procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, may be necessary to achieve the desired aesthetic results.
It is recommended that patients wait at least 12 months after gastric sleeve surgery before considering cosmetic surgery to allow the skin to tighten on its own. During this time, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine can help the body heal after bariatric surgery and aid in tightening the skin.
Short-Term Solutions
For those who are seeking more immediate solutions, compression garments can help reduce the appearance of sagging skin in the short term. These garments can help support the skin and prevent it from sagging further.
Overall, while the timeline for skin tightening after gastric sleeve surgery varies, patients can take steps to help their body heal and improve their appearance in the long run.
