Sleeve gastrectomy, also called "the vertical sleeve" or "the sleeve," involves removing about two-thirds or up to 80% the left side of the stomach, leaving a banana-shaped sleeve or smaller stomach. This restricts the amount of food you can eat at one time, helping you feel full faster. It also produces positive changes in hormones that suppress hunger, reduce appetite and improve satiety (or the feeling of being full). As with other bariatric surgeries, sleeve gastrectomy can provide more benefits than just weight loss, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improvement or even resolution of Type 2 diabetes, less joint pain, more energy and better sleep. It also can reduce the risk of other weight-related health problems such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. With sleeve gastrectomy, the smaller stomach and resulting changes in hormones can facilitate rapid and significant weight loss. Although each patient is different, many patients see long-term success with this type of surgery. Long-Term Benefits of Bariatric Surgery Committing to better health through bariatric surgery is a big step and a brave move forward, However, that courage can sometimes waver because, well, it's surgery. It's natural to worry about the unknown and wise to weigh your options when it comes to making such a life-altering change. Though no surgery is entirely risk-free, the safety profile of laparoscopic bariatric surgery is comparable to some of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S., including gallbladder surgery, appendectomy and knee replacement. Bariatric surgery has proven to be the most effective and durable treatment for severe obesity, helping patients who have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Surgery, combined with exercise, healthy eating, and social support, allows patients to lose a significant amount of weight and maintain that loss. But, there are many other benefits beyond weight loss. Alleviating high cholesterol. Fatty deposits in your blood vessels caused by high cholesterol hinder blood flow and can lead to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack or stroke. But losing as little as 10 pounds can improve your cholesterol levels. Reducing depression. Obesity affects your mood, but depression also can lead to less exercise, cravings for high-carb food and a slower metabolism. It's a vicious cycle, but weight-loss surgery has been known to decrease depression symptoms by as much as 55%. Ending sleep apnea. Untreated, sleep apnea contributes to hypertension, stroke, heart failure, diabetes, obesity and heart attacks. However, up to 98% of bariatric patients experience a reversal of sleep apnea. Heading-off hypertension. High blood pressure damages arteries and decreases blood flow and oxygen to the heart. In addition, it can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, metabolic syndrome, aneurysm and dementia. Weight-loss surgery, however, has been known to reverse the condition in as many as 63% of people, according to the American Heart Association. Improving fertility. Studies indicate that in the first year post surgery, men experience an increase in testosterone, sperm viability and sperm volume. Women experienced a reversal of polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms (PCOS), and the average pregnancy rate for previously infertile PCOS patients post bariatric surgery was 73%. Living longer. Studies, including a 2020 report in JAMA, found weight loss surgery patients outlived people of similar age, sex, and (intial) BMI who had not undergone surgery. It can reduce all-cause mortality by up to 40% compared to patients who chose not to undergo a weight-loss procedure. Reversing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and obesity exponentially increase your risk of depression, blindness, skin conditions, sleep apnea, hearing loss and other diseases. However, up to 83% of weight-loss surgery patients experience a reversal in the disease. Saying "farewell" to arthritis. Losing weight means less pressure on your joints and decreased pain, stiffness and swelling. Up to 76% of patients report improvement in arthritis symptoms and mobility -- which can mean reduced need for medication.

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery? Gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery. The size of the stomach is reduced so the amount of food that can be eaten is “restricted” due to the smaller size of the stomach. The small intestine is attached directly to this small stomach pouch, so that food no longer has to pass through most of the remaining stomach or part of the small intestine. This changes the way the body absorbs calories and nutrients. How Long Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Take? The duration of gastric bypass surgery is approximately one and a half hours. Before this surgery, the patient can be treated for a long time. After the necessary tests and examinations are completed, the patient is taken to surgery. Small incisions are made during the surgery. Some doctors need stitches, while others do not. After the surgery, the patient can be kept in the hospital to see if there is a leak, as in sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Afterwards, the patient is fed with liquid or pureed food for a while. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY? Gastric Bypass Surgery is an excellent tool to provide individuals with long-term weight control in small portions without the old strong sense of appetite. For most patients, long-term weight loss and weight maintenance is successful. Depending on weight loss, it creates a permanent solution for type 2 diabetes and concomitant diseases caused by excess weight. After the surgery, patients experience physical and psychological satisfaction. WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY? Like any surgical procedure, gastric bypass surgery has potential risks and complications. These are rare and everything possible is done to prevent them from happening. The most common complications are leakage, bleeding and embolism. These risks can be seen especially in the first 15 days after surgery. Contacting your doctor immediately when symptoms of complications are seen shortens the treatment process of complications and positively affects the success of the treatment. Leaks in the staple line are the most risky complication of this surgery. Symptoms of leakage include high fever, severe abdominal pain, high pulse, chills and fatigue. Your doctor’s timely and successful interventions play an important role in the treatment of possible leaks. Detection and treatment of leakage is very easy for an experienced bariatric surgeon. It just takes longer. Another risk is the risk of embolism. There is a risk of embolism in every surgery; however , the risk of embolism is higher in obesity surgeries due to being overweight . In order to prevent the risk of embolism, a blood thinner injection is started the day before or on the day of the operation and embolism socks (varicose compression stockings) are put on the patients. After the operation, the patient should use the anti-embolism stockings and blood thinners for ten days at home after discharge. The most common complication is bleeding. Observation of bleeding is very easy with drain follow-up. In patients with bleeding; fatigue, dizziness and low blood pressure. Treatment of bleeding is quickly overcome by blood supplementation only, depending on the amount of bleeding. Apart from these, vitamin-mineral deficiencies may occur due to malnutrition and decreased absorption. Patients should have their blood tests done regularly after the surgery and regularly use the drugs and supplements prescribed by the doctor for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Dumping syndrome, also called rapid gastric emptying, occurs when food, especially sugar, passes too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine. Dumping syndrome occurs 10 to 30 minutes after eating and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhea in individuals. Helps prevent post-operative nutritional changes syndrome. Dumping syndrome can be prevented by eating smaller meals and limiting sugary foods. HOW SHOULD NUTRITION BE AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY? On the 2nd day after gastric bypass surgery, patients are tested for leakage and then we start a 15-day liquid diet period. Following the 15-day liquid diet period, 15 days of puree and then solid nutrition are started. Diet periods are carefully explained by your dietitian. The role of the dietitian in the postoperative period is extremely important for every patient. Compliance of patients with these diet periods is the most important factor in preventing complications. Patients need to master the habit of eating with small bites, chewing very well and slowly. Another rule in nutrition is to distinguish between solid and liquid. There should be a minimum of 30 minutes between foods and drinks. Thus, nutrient deficiencies are prevented and gastric expansion is prevented. After the surgery, it is important to comply with a well-adjusted carbohydrate, protein and fat ratio and fiber-rich nutrition programs. Approximately 60-80 g of daily protein is recommended for nutritional adequacy and postoperative wound healing. Food sources to meet this amount of protein may vary according to the tolerance of the person. Over time, tolerance increases and consumption of protein-containing food sources expands. In addition, deficiencies of minerals such as iron, calcium and B vitamins are frequently seen after this surgery and may cause iron deficiency anemia and osteoporosis. In addition to a nutritious diet, supplementation with B complex and multivitamins may be necessary to prevent potential deficiencies. In order to prevent symptoms such as cramps and diarrhea caused by dumping syndrome, and to prevent weight gain, patients should give up old habits such as consuming sugary and high-calorie foods frequently and acquire new healthy eating habits for themselves. What Should Those Who Have Gastric Bypass Pay Attention To? Definitely work with a specialist dietitian. As your physician, I can say that you should pay attention to the following guidelines; A balanced diet is essential for vitamin and mineral deficiency. Consumption rate of solid foods should be reduced. Low-carbohydrate-high protein-oriented nutrition programs should be organized. All kinds of foods and beverages with oil, sugar and gas should be avoided. Caffeine and salt consumption should be minimized. Main meals should be 3 snacks and 3 regular meals. In between meals, only fruits should be focused. Food should be chewed abundantly. Water consumption should be 2.5 liters or more. These rates are not suitable immediately after the operation. It can gradually progress to 1 liter in the first week, 1.5 liters the next week, and 2.5 liters in the following periods. What is the Difference Between Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve? In sleeve gastrectomy surgeries, approximately 80% of the stomach is cut and removed. In gastric bypass surgeries, most of the stomach is disabled, a small stomach is created and the large stomach is left uncut. For this reason, sleeve gastrectomy operation is irreversible. However, gastric bypass surgeries are potentially reversible. While sleeve gastrectomy operations are usually completed in an hour, the average duration of gastric bypass surgery is one and a half hours. In gastric sleeve surgery, only a large part of the stomach is cut and removed. In gastric bypass surgery, a shorter route is made to the stomach – small intestine line after most of the stomach is deactivated. Thus, the nutrients taken from the stomach to the intestines reach the intestines in a shorter time and the calorie absorption levels in the food are reduced. In both surgeries, patients have a feeling of fullness in a shorter time.

The intragastric balloon is a temporary method for weight loss, in which a balloon-shaped silicone device is inserted endoscopically into the stomach, partially occupying it, thus causing an early feeling of fullness when eating; the intragastric balloon can pass into the stomach for a maximum of 6 months. The intragastric balloon weighs 500 to 600 g, is filled with physiological serum plus methylene blue, offering a true alternative to patients who do not want or cannot benefit from obesity surgery. How Is The Gastrıc Balloon Surgery Performed? A gastric balloon is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that involves placing a balloon in the stomach to fill the cavity and limit the stomach’s capacity to carry food. After the balloon is placed, it makes you feel fuller with food faster and reduces stomach volume. What Is Necessary Before Placıng The Balloon? Before placing the gastric balloon, the patient will have been visited and evaluated by our medical, nutritional, psychological and sports team, to check that all the treatment is suitable and to carry out a first initial assessment. In it, the entire process will be explained in detail and all doubts will be resolved. In addition, blood and other tests will have been performed to complete the initial study and minimize any potential risk. Am I A Good Candıdate For The Gastrıc Balloon? The gastric balloon is indicated in patients with type II overweight (BMI> 27), mild and moderate obesity (BMI between 30-39) and severe obesity (> 40) who do not want to undergo surgery, or this is contraindicated. Also, it can be seen as a bridge to bariatric surgery to lose weight before it, in the case of very severe obesity. What Is Requıred To Insert The Balloon? To ensure the absence of gastric content before the procedure, a liquid diet is necessary the day before and a complete fast (solid and liquid) 8 hours before the procedure. You must be accompanied by a family member or friend. Later, you will not be able to drive or perform dangerous activities because the reflexes are diminished by anesthetic sedation, as occurs in the performance of a diagnostic colonoscopy or gastroscopy. What Happens After Insertıng The Balloon? It is normal for the patient to have nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal discomfort in the first days after gastric balloon placement, similar to those that can cause gastroenteritis. It is important that the patient follow Obymed’s recommendations, who will prescribe a specific treatment and diet to reduce or eliminate said symptoms so that adaptation is as light as possible. Its intensity will decrease as the days go by and the stomach will get used to the gastric balloon.