Pros and Cons of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a popular weight-loss procedure that offers both benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the pros and cons can help you make an informed decision about whether gastric sleeve surgery is right for you.
Pros:
Information publicly available in ASMBS and IFSO guidelines
1- Effective Weight Loss: Gastric sleeve surgery can lead to significant and sustained weight loss for many patients, helping to improve obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
2- Minimally Invasive: Gastric sleeve surgery is typically performed laparoscopically, using small incisions and a camera to guide the surgeon. This minimally invasive approach results in less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery.
3- Reduced Hunger: By removing a portion of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone ghrelin, gastric sleeve surgery can help reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness, making it easier to stick to a reduced-calorie diet.
4- Preservation of Digestive Tract: Unlike some other weightloss procedures, such as gastric bypass, gastric sleeve surgery does not involve rerouting the intestines or implanting a device. This means that nutrient absorption remains relatively unaffected, reducing the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Cons:
Surgery Risks: As with any surgical procedure, gastric sleeve surgery carries risks of complications such as leaks, bleeding, infection, and blood clots. While these risks are relatively low, they can still occur and may require additional medical intervention.
Irreversible: Gastric sleeve surgery permanently alters the size and shape of the stomach, making it a non-reversible procedure. While this can lead to significant weight loss and health improvements, it's essential to consider the long-term implications of this irreversible change.
Potential Nutritional Deficiencies: Rapid weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly in vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. Patients may need to take supplements or make dietary adjustments to prevent deficiencies.
Lifestyle Changes Required: Gastric sleeve surgery is not a quick fix or a standalone solution for weight loss. It requires lifelong commitment to healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and ongoing medical monitoring to maintain long-term success.
Conclusion:
Gastric sleeve surgery offers significant benefits for individuals struggling with obesity, including effective weight loss, reduced hunger, and improved health outcomes. However, it's essential to weigh these benefits against the potential risks and lifestyle changes required to determine if gastric sleeve surgery is the right choice for you.
References:
Pros:
1- Effective Weight Loss:
· Buchwald, H. et al. "Bariatric surgery: a systematic review and metaanalysis." JAMA, 2004.
· Sjöström, L. et al. "Effects of bariatric surgery on mortality in Swedish obese subjects." New England Journal of Medicine, 2007.
2- Minimally Invasive:
· Peterli, R. et al. "Metabolic and hormonal changes after laparoscopic Rouxen-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy: a randomized, prospective trial." Obesity Surgery, 2012.
· American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). "Position Statement on Sleeve Gastrectomy as a Bariatric Procedure." 2019.
3- Reduced Hunger:
· le Roux, C. W. et al. "Ghrelin and the short- and long-term regulation of appetite and body weight." Physiology & Behavior, 2005.
· Cummings, D. E. et al. "Ghrelin and the short- and long-term regulation of appetite and body weight." Physiology & Behavior, 2005.
4- Preservation of Digestive Tract:
· Brethauer, S. A. et al. "Systematic review of sleeve gastrectomy as staging and primary bariatric procedure." Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2009.
· National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). "Obesity: identification, assessment and management." Clinical guideline [CG189], 2014.
Cons:
1- Surgery Risks:
· Himpens, J. et al. "A systematic review of current surgical treatment of obesity." Obesity Surgery, 2009.
· Mechanick, J. I. et al. "Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutritional, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of the Bariatric Surgery Patient—2013 Update." Obesity, 2013.
2- Irreversible:
· Mittermair, R. P. et al. "Long-term results for sleeve gastrectomy: a systematic review." Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2014.
· National Health Service (NHS). "Gastric Sleeve Surgery." [Online resource]
3- Potential Nutritional Deficiencies:
· Aills, L. et al. "ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient." Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2008.
· Parrott, J. et al. "American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Integrated Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient —2016 Update." Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2017.
4- Lifestyle Changes Required:
· Sogg, S. et al. "American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Position Statement on the Role of Psychologists and Behavioral Health Professionals in the Care of Patients Seeking Weight Loss Surgery." Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 2016.
· National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). "Obesity: identification, assessment and management." Clinical guideline [CG189], 2014.