People who have struggled with maintaining a healthy weight for years may opt for a surgical procedure to help them get their weight under control. A common and effective procedure many people choose is gastric sleeve surgery. But what is gastric sleeve surgery? 

This procedure involves a surgeon removing a portion of your stomach from the body, and forming the remaining part of the stomach into a tube shape that looks like a shirt sleeve. The idea is that by reducing your stomach size, you won’t feel as inclined to eat as much and will lose weight over time as a result. There are other benefits to consider with a gastric sleeve procedure as well. Here is an overview of the benefits and risks to help you determine whether the procedure is right for you.

Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery can lead to significant weight loss for people. With a smaller stomach, you’ll feel fuller quicker when eating and can reduce the chances of eating too much as a result. Another benefit of a smaller stomach is that it produces lower amounts of the hormone ghrelin, which regulates your hunger. When the body produces less ghrelin, you won’t feel as hungry as normal throughout the day. People tend to lose more weight following gastric sleeve surgery combined with a healthy diet and exercise, rather than solely relying on diet and exercise to lose weight.

Possible Risks to Consider

Any major surgery comes with possible risks and complications. Some of the short-term risks of gastric sleeve surgery include bleeding, blood clots, leaking in the stomach, or infections. Long-term complications and risks are rare but can include malnutrition, vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction, low blood sugar, and more.

The best way to reduce these risks is by choosing a reputable surgeon who has performed numerous successful gastric sleeve surgeries. How you prepare for your gastric sleeve surgery and how seriously you take care of yourself following the procedure also play a major role in whether you experience any complications. Of course, your surgeon will help you with advice every step of the way.

Why Gastric Sleeve Surgery Is Different from Other Weight-Loss Diets

Traditional dieting and exercising work great for some people, but not as much for others. However, it’s much easier for people to see results from dieting and exercising when it is combined with gastric sleeve surgery. Eating less frequently means you’ll have more energy and desire to exercise. It can take weeks or months for your stomach size to shrink with dieting and exercising alone, so a gastric sleeve procedure provides a jump-start to aid your efforts. Finding a healthy balance is important for everyone, and if you’ve struggled with this for years, gastric sleeve surgery can help you discover yours.

Be Committed to Your New Lifestyle

Dieting and exercising require a shift in your mindset. While gastric sleeve surgery is very effective for many people, you also can’t expect to continue eating unhealthy foods and still lose weight. Before undergoing a gastric sleeve procedure, it is important to start working on your mindset and commit to a more permanent and healthy lifestyle. Combining the procedure with a healthy lifestyle can provide you with long-lasting results you can be proud of.

BASS Bariatric Surgery Center has performed numerous gastric sleeve surgeries to help people reach their weight loss goals. We are committed to helping you on your journey and will provide you with all the resources and information you need to have a successful outcome. Your journey to a healthier lifestyle awaits, so contact us at (925) 281-3711 today or request a consultation online to get started.