In recent years, gastric sleeve surgery has been embraced as one of the best weight loss procedures around. According to the American Society for Metabolic& Bariatric Surgery, the procedure’s mortality rate sits at 0.08% — a highly assuring percentage compared to other bariatric surgeries.
Sleeve gastrectomy sounds appealing. However, it is not for everyone. There are plenty of factors to consider and strict medical criteria to follow. If you are thinking of undergoing the surgery, below are some points to think about.
How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Works
Gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic procedure that removes 85% of the stomach, including the portion that houses ghrelin — the hormone that stimulates hunger. The patient is left with a stomach likened to a size of a banana, which leads to reduced appetite and ultimately, dramatic weight loss.
Compared to other bariatric surgeries, gastric sleeve is irreversible. So those who consider it must understand that it is a lifetime decision.
Medical Criteria
You may need to meet certain medical guidelines to qualify for a gastric sleeve surgery. Most of the time, there is an extensive screening process to evaluate whether the procedure is best for you or not.
Here are the following medical criteria:
- Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (severely obese)
- Your BMI is between 35-39 and are currently suffering from weight-related ailments such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure.
- In some cases if your BMI is between 30-34 and are suffering from serious weight-related health problems, you may be qualified for the procedure
- Your efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise are to no avail
Medical History
Apart from the above guidelines, your medical history will also be reviewed. Factors such as diet attempts, weight trends, eating habits, and exercise regimen will be assessed by a team of experts. Furthermore, the team will ask about your previous medication, how much you drink or smoke. This will tell them if gastric sleeve surgery is the right direction to take.
Fear of Foreign Objects
It’s one thing to be afraid of needles. It’s another to fear foreign objects entering and staying in your body. In gastric sleeve surgery, the doctor needs to use laparoscopic tools and staple your stomach so it seals and functions properly.
The bottom line is you must be completely comfortable about having such objects used and exist within your body. Otherwise, you may need to undergo further psychological evaluation and self-assessment to know if this is really the surgery for you.
Psychological State
Many mental conditions are associated with obesity and the surgery’s success rate afterwards. These include eating disorders, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even issues related to childhood sexual abuse.
To determine whether or not sleeve gastrectomy is right for you, a number of psychological tests may be required. If you’re medically qualified but not mentally ready, doctors may opt to postpone the surgery.
Age
A line hasn’t been drawn in terms of age eligibility. There is no strict age but the older you get, the higher the risks of complications become. However, the procedure remains controversial among those under the age of 18.
Motivation
Doctors will also assess your willingness to follow through after the procedure. The surgery may be successful but the question is: Are you ready to commit to the changes that come with it? Are you going to fully commit yourself to a strict and exercise regimen? If yes, you need to visit http://www.gastricsleevedietguide.com/ to learn more about gastric sleeve diet and other helpful tips in your recovery.
Gastric sleeve surgery provides an opportunity to start anew in life. If you want to undergo the procedure, prepare yourself for the necessary assessment and evaluation. If you do not qualify, understand that there are other ways to become a healthier, better version of yourself.
