Gastric sleeve surgery is a type of bariatric surgery. It helps patients with obesity lose weight. Here’s what you should know about gastric sleeve surgery in Maryland.
What is Gastric Sleeve? 
This type of weight loss surgery, also known as gastrectomy or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, restricts your food intake. Patients may lose between 50-100 pounds with this procedure.
Gastric sleeve in Maryland is a laparoscopic procedure. The surgeon makes small incisions in the upper abdomen and uses special tools to remove most of the left part of the stomach. The remaining stomach resembles a narrow tube called a sleeve.
Food empties out of the bottom of the stomach the same way as before surgery. Furthermore, the small intestine is not changed. Your stomach will require less food to feel full, helping you consume fewer calories. This is how gastric sleeve in Maryland promotes weight loss.
Risks of Gastric Sleeve Maryland
As with any other surgery, there are some risks. This is important to consider since patients with obesity may be at a higher risk of experiencing complications. Some risks of gastric sleeve include bleeding, infection, blood clots in the legs, and breathing problems from general anesthesia. Furthermore, over time you may have trouble absorbing certain nutrients. Some patients may experience heartburn or reflux after surgery.
Your provider will discuss all the risks with you and help you decide if gastric sleeve is the right procedure for you.
After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Typically, patients go home the day after surgery. For the first week or two, you will be on a liquid diet. Your surgery team will give you a schedule of types of meals for the next few weeks. Usually, you go from liquids to purees, then soft foods and finally on the regular foods.
After surgery, each meal you consume will be very small. It’s important to chew well and eat slowly to prevent any discomfort. You may also need to take a daily multivitamin to ensure you receive the proper nutrients.
Additionally, you will need to have regular blood tests every few months in the first year after surgery. This checks for high blood sugar, low blood iron or low calcium or vitamin D levels.
Gastric Sleeve Maryland Surgeons
If you are interested in learning more about gastric sleeve in Maryland, please contact Maryland Bariatrics today.
