If you are one of the many people trying to lose weight, you may have considered gastric sleeve surgery. Another name for this procedure is vertical sleeve gastrectomy or VSG. It is a weight-loss surgery that removes a large portion of your stomach, leaving only a narrow “sleeve” of the stomach. Gastric sleeve Frisco is usually done as a laparoscopic surgery, which uses small incisions and a camera to guide the surgeon.

You may be a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery if you have the following;

  •         A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher: BMI means body mass index. It is a number that is used to indicate whether you are obese, overweight, or at a healthy weight. Divide your weight in kilos by the square of your height in meters to determine your BMI.
  •         A BMI of 35 or higher and one or more obesity-related health conditions: These conditions may include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or sleep apnea.
  •         You have tried other weight-loss methods, such as diet and exercise, but have not been successful: Your doctor will want to see proof that you have tried to lose weight in the past without success. This may include a journal of your food intake and activity level and any weight-loss programs you have tried.
  •         You are committed to making lifestyle changes after surgery: Gastric sleeve surgery is not a quick fix for obesity. It is a tool that can help you lose weight, but you will need to make other lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, to lose weight and keep it off.
  •         You are not pregnant and do not plan to become pregnant: Pregnancy can reverse the weight loss achieved through gastric sleeve surgery. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, you will need to wait until after your baby is born to have this surgery.

If you believe you are a candidate for the surgery, here are reasons to pick this procedure:

Rapid weight loss

A gastric sleeve is an excellent choice if you plan to lose considerable weight. Most patients report losing 20-30% of their total body weight within the first few months following surgery. If you weigh 300 pounds, you can expect to lose 60-90 pounds within the first few months.

Reduced appetite

One of the reasons gastric sleeve is so effective for weight loss is that it significantly reduces your appetite. This is because the surgery removes a portion of your stomach, where ghrelin, the “hunger hormone,” is produced. By reducing the amount of ghrelin in your body, you will feel less hungry and eat less.

Reduced risk of obesity-related health conditions

Another benefit of gastric sleeve surgery is that it can help improve or resolve obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. Many patients can stop taking their diabetes medication after surgery.

If you are struggling with your weight, gastric sleeve surgery may be the right choice. Speak with your doctor at The Bariatric Experts to see if you are a candidate for this life-changing procedure.