Sleeve gastrectomy, commonly known as gastric sleeve surgery, is a type of bariatric surgery designed to help individuals with severe obesity lose weight. This procedure involves removing a significant portion of the stomach, resulting in a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. This smaller stomach restricts food intake and reduces hunger, aiding in weight loss.

Key Steps in Sleeve Gastrectomy:

1. Consultation and Evaluation: The process begins with a thorough medical evaluation and consultation with a bariatric surgeon. The patient’s medical history, current health status, and weight loss goals are assessed to determine suitability for the procedure.

2. Preoperative Preparation: Patients may need to undergo various preoperative tests and follow specific dietary guidelines, such as a liquid diet, for a few days before the surgery.

3. Surgery:

   • Anesthesia: The patient is placed under general anesthesia.

   • Laparoscopic Procedure: Sleeve gastrectomy is typically performed laparoscopically, meaning several small incisions are made in the abdomen. A laparoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) and surgical instruments are inserted through these incisions.

   • Stomach Reduction: About 75-80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a tube-like, sleeve-shaped stomach about the size of a banana. The remaining portion of the stomach is stapled together to create the sleeve.

4. Recovery: Recovery typically involves a hospital stay of one to two days. Patients will need to follow a specific diet plan, starting with liquids and gradually progressing to pureed foods and then solid foods over several weeks. Regular follow-up visits are necessary to monitor the patient’s progress and ensure proper healing.