Gastric Sleeve surgery also referred to as the vertical sleeve gastrectomy or vertical gastric sleeve is a type of weight loss surgery that is opted for individuals who cannot have other types of bariatric surgeries safely. The surgery is performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia. During the surgery the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size by removing a large portion of it. The remaining stomach is a much smaller long vertical tube about the size of a banana. This restricts the amount of food a person can eat. The procedure is irreversible and should not be considered a quick-fix for weight loss. After the surgery, drastic lifestyle changes have to be made such as eating healthy diet, controlling portion sizes and doing regular exercise. The procedure is usually recommended in individuals who have either a BMI of 40 or more or a BMI of 35 or more along with a serious medical condition that can improve by losing weight such as obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Puree Diet after Bariatric Surgery

Phase II can be summarized as soft foods which can be easily mashed, eaten with a spoon and can be tolerated easily. This stage continues to allow your system to heal and slowly adjust to more dense foods. Attempting portions that are too large or advancing too rapidly into foods that are very dense or hard can cause food getting “stuck”, vomiting, and pouch irritation. Remember as your diet advances the liquids should remain separated from the solids. If you drink while eating you will push food through the pouch and speed up the emptying of the pouch. This will just make room for more food.

Solid Foods after Bariatric Surgery

Like the other phases of the post-bariatric surgery diet, the exact timing of Phase III of your diet will vary. Phase III of your diet typically starts at the beginning of week 5 and continues for the rest of your life. The goal is to choose healthy, balanced meals and make lifestyle changes to become the new healthy you. You should continue to follow your previous routine that you used for previous diet phases for meal times and vitamin supplementation.

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

Obesity is a worldwide problem of increasing prevalence. Ideally, and in its less severe stages, obesity can be controlled with diet management and a regular exercise program. At times, obesity may be so severe that it is termed morbid obesity. Weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve are surgical procedures whose utility in combating morbid obesity are recognized by both medical and surgical specialists. Patients who have a BMI greater than 35 or those with a BMI of 30 or more who are also suffering from life-threatening illnesses curable with weight loss are considered as possible candidates for bariatric surgery.

Clear Liquid Diet

Phase I – Liquid Diet Guidelines after your operation

You will be on this phase for at least 2 weeks after your surgery. You will feel full from liquids and may not meet your fluid goals the first few days. During this phase you must consume liquid only and avoid all solid foods. Your primary source of energy and protein will be protein shakes.

Do I qualify for insurance coverage for the surgery?

Because every insurance policy is unique, it's important that you thoroughly understand your Certificate of Coverage to know exactly what is and isn't covered through your plan.

The qualification process includes a series of tests with your bariatric surgeon. You also will meet with a nutritionist, psychologist, and other support staff members in sessions leading up to surgery. Each healthcare professional will help you prepare for the changes and challenges that lie ahead.

How do I know if I qualify for bariatric surgery?

Patients should have:
– 100 pounds or more of excess weight; or a BMI of 40 or greater
– A BMI of 35 or greater with one or more co-morbid condition
Other common guidelines include:
– Understanding the risks of bariatric surgery
– Committing to dietary and other lifestyle changes as recommended by the surgeon
– Having a history of weight loss treatments having failed the patient
– Undergoing a complete examination including medical tests

Stage I – Post-Op and the Hospital Diet

At this time, Dr. Belsley and the hospital team will be monitoring your progress by seeing how well you tolerate low-sugar, non-carbonated liquids such as water, tea, and broth. Sugar-free gelatin is another option. Use a cup to drink and avoid sipping from a bottle or straw.

Pre-op Bariatric Diet

Phase I – Pre-Surgery Clear Liquid Diet

The first phase of clear liquids will actually start five days prior to surgery. You will be advised to drink only clear liquids and be expected to adhere to this for the five days prior to surgery regardless of which operation you will be undergoing. We allow two protein supplements per day for the first two days of this five day period.

Revisional Bariatric Surgery

Current thinking is that revisional operations do not work very well and for that reason they are reserved for unique cases. As with many things in surgery, much depends on the circumstances and the available options, some of which we’ll describe below. In any case, I strongly suggest that patients return to their original surgeon who performed their first operation, as every surgeon individualizes the digestive arrangements in a particular manner. The only revisional operation I regularly perform is for patients who have a failed laparoscopic gastric banding. Those patients may benefit from having the band removed and then converting to a gastric bypass or a gastric sleeve.

Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus or diabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar levels reach abnormally high levels because the body is unable to control sugar levels by producing enough insulin or responding to insulin properly. Diabetes occurs because either the pancreas produces insufficient insulin necessary for the absorption of sugar by the body cells or the body cells are resistant to the insulin that is produced and therefore unable to absorb the sugars.