Frequently Asked Questions

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery is an operation performed on patients with a body mass index of 35 and above. Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery is an operation performed by entering your abdomen through 4 holes through laparoscopy. With this surgery, 80% of your stomach is removed. It is a comfortable operation because it is performed with the closed method.

Who is sleeve gastrectomy surgery suitable for?

If your body mass index is over 35 and you have at least one or two diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, osteoarthritis (rheumatism), sleep apnea syndrome, fatty liver or your body mass index is directly over 40, your age is between 18 and 65, and there is no other condition that prevents you from getting general anesthesia, you are suitable for this operation.

What are the risks of sleeve gastrectomy surgery?

Since sleeve gastrectomy operations are operations performed with a closed method, they are classified as comfortable surgery. Although the risk of sleeve gastrectomy surgery is not high, there are risks related to leakage, bleeding, embolism (clot removal) and anesthesia.

How long does sleeve gastrectomy surgery take? How many days should I stay in the hospital after the operation?

Gastric sleeve surgery takes an average of 1 hour. After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital for at least 2 nights and is discharged after the 3rd day checks are made.

Will there be pain after sleeve gastrectomy surgery?

The pain experienced after the surgery is gas pain. As of the 4th hour after the surgery, walking will help you get rid of the gas, and your pain will pass in a short time.

How long does it take to return to daily life after sleeve gastrectomy surgery?

After sleeve gastrectomy, patients can supply with their personal needs as of the 4th hour. Patients quickly return to their daily lives after discharge.

How is the nutrition process after sleeve gastrectomy surgery?

After sleeve gastrectomy, your nutritional processes should be progressed under the control of a bariatric dietitian. After the surgery, patients are fed with liquid for the first 30 days and puree for the second 30 days. As of the 3rd month, solid nutrition can be started under the control of a dietitian. It is important that meals last for 30 to 45 minutes and to make it a habit to consume bites with a lot of chewing.

How often are check-ups done after sleeve gastrectomy surgery?

After sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the first control is performed in the first 15 days, and the second control is performed in the first month. In the next 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months, the patients are checked by the doctor and dietitian with the results of the blood analysis.

Does the stomach grow back in the process after sleeve gastrectomy surgery?

There may be some growth in stomach volume after sleeve gastrectomy surgery. However, the stomach never returns to its pre-operative volume. This growth is not at a rate to be feared.

 What are the stages before the operation?

A meeting with our doctor is organized during the time you apply to us for surgery. Then the laboratory stage is passed and the necessary blood tests are done. Then abdominal ultrasound, chest X-ray, and ECG tests are performed, and then you are examined in detail by our internal medicine, cardiology and chest diseases specialists. Your last endoscopy is performed and you are taken for a general evaluation in company with our specialist who will perform the surgery.

What is done in pre-operative examinations?

Pre-operative examinations and tests are carried out to determine whether the performance of all your vital organs is sufficient. These tests are in the nature of check-ups. In addition, examinations with endocrinology, psychiatry, chest diseases, cardiology and anesthesiologists will aim to reduce your possible risks in your surgery.

How long does the pre-operative process take?

Appointments for all your observations and examinations are organized by our team and, as determined, it starts in the morning and ends with an estimated 3 hours of cooperation.

What should I do for pre-operative tests?

A fasting of at least 6-8 hours is required for our blood, examination and endoscopy.

Will I lose excess weight after surgery?

After the patient reaches his/her ideal weight, the weight loss process slows down and stops.

Will my reduced stomach grow back later?

Thanks to our experience in the operations we perform and our post-operative patient follow-up, it is not possible to grow.

When can I return to work?

If there is no problem after the checks to be made after the operation, you can return to work 1 week later.

Will I stay in the intensive care unit after the surgery?

If you are not in the high-risk patients group, no follow-up is required in the intensive care unit.

Is any surgery I’ve had before an obstacle to this operation?

You should tell your doctor about all the operations you have had, it is helpful for your doctor to have all the information about you during the operation process. However, previous surgeries (appendix, cesarean section, closed operations, surgeries outside the abdomen, etc.) do not constitute an obstacle.

 Do I have to have a companion?

Yes. We want at least one patient’s relative to accompany our patient after the operation.

 How is my follow-up after the surgery?

We follow up all our patients after the surgery. In the post-operative period, in order to ensure that your routine controls are carried out from the moment you leave the hospital and go to home rest; Our doctor, dietitian, coordinator and secretary will be in constant communication with you.

 What are the Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery?

* It is more cosmetic due to the intervention with small incisions and therefore the absence of large incisions in the body.

* Less risk of wound infection

* Shortening of hospital stay

* Early and fast recovery process

* Much less pain and therefore less need for painkillers

 

How is the surgery program for patients coming from abroad?

The patient is admitted to the hospital in the morning of the day he/she arrives in the city. After the necessary examinations are done, if there is no obstacle, he/she is taken into surgery. On the 2nd day of the operation, a control film is taken and detailed information is given about the diet list to be applied. On the 3rd day of the operation, he/she can be discharged from the hospital and return to his home.

 

How is the appropriate surgical method decided for the patient?

If the patient has uncontrolled diabetes (sugar and HbA1c levels are very high despite using insulin), gastric hernia or severe esophagitis due to reflux is detected in the endoscopy, it is more appropriate to perform gastric (stomach) bypass for these patients. If there is no problem in the examination and endoscopy of the patient, sleeve gastrectomy can be applied.

 

When can I board the plane after the operation?

You can board the plane as soon as you are discharged from the hospital.

 

What will the diet program be like after the surgery?

With liquid foods for the first 1 month after the operation; In the 2nd month, it is fed with puree-style foods. At the beginning of the 3rd month, solid foods can be started under the control of a dietitian. The aim is not to make you lose weight quickly, but to keep the created stomach volume constant and prevent it from growing.

When can one return to normal life after the operation?

Although it varies depending on the person, since the operation is performed with the closed (laparoscopic) method and the hospital stay is short, it is usually returned to normal life between the 4th and 7th days of the operation.

 

What will the weight loss process be like after the operation?

Although the rate of weight loss may vary depending on the age and metabolic rate of the person, the person loses weight quickly in the first 3-4 months of the operation. As you lose weight, the rate of weight loss in the following months slows down and may even pause normally in some periods. The most important factor in the following months is the patient’s adoption of the changing lifestyle and diet and compliance with this order. During these periods, the person is regularly called for control and is supported by the physician. People who fully comply with the recommendations and lifestyle changes lose 70% of their excess weight within 1 year.

 

When can I get pregnant after surgery?

It is not recommended for the patient to become pregnant for the first 12 months after the operation, and then it is useful to plan it by completing the checks with the doctor.

 

How soon after surgery can I start exercises?

Light exercises (walking, jogging, cycling, etc.) can be started 1 week after the operation. Heavy exercises should be done on the 6th-8th days of the surgery. It is possible to start this week. In patients with very high body mass index, heavy exercises are started later (after reasonable weight loss).

 

Will there be sagging in my body with weight loss after the operation?

Patients at a young age generally do not experience sagging as they maintain their skin tension. Even if there is sagging, it is not general but occurs in certain parts of the body. The real problem starts after the age of 30-40 because the skin loses its elasticity. People who experience sagging after weight loss are referred to the plastic surgery department after they are followed for 12 months after their weight remains stable or 2-3 years after bariatric surgery. It is not recommended to have surgery for sagging during the period when the weight loss process continues.

 

What is the Body Mass Index (BMI), how much should this value be in order to have bariatric surgery?

Body Mass Index means the ratio of a person’s height and weight obtained by a mathematical calculation. According to this calculation, the patient; If the BMI is between 30-35, it is classified as 1st class obesity, if it is 35-40, it is classified as 2nd class obesity, and if it is 40 and above, it is classified as morbid obesity. In order for sleeve gastrectomy to be performed, the patient’s body mass index must be 35 and above.

 

 

Is it necessary to use vitamins, minerals, calcium or protein after Gastric Bypass Surgery?

After obesity surgeries, vitamin-mineral, calcium or protein deficiencies may occur due to rapid weight loss. After Gastric Bypass surgery, vitamin and mineral deficiencies may occur at a higher rate than sleeve gastrectomy and cuff due to malabsorption in the intestines. These are detected during routine check-ups. When necessary, vitamin and mineral supplements are recommended at appropriate time intervals under the supervision of a doctor.

 

Should I quit smoking and alcohol before Gastric Bypass surgery?

It is important to inform your anesthesiologist about your smoking-alcohol habits before all obesity surgeries. Quitting smoking 5 days before the surgery and cessation of alcohol use 10 days before the surgery will allow you to have a more comfortable surgery.

 

What types of surgical methods are there in the treatment of obesity?

There are 4 main groups of methods in obesity surgery;

1- Reducing Stomach Volume

2– Absorption Inhibitor

3- Combined

4- Different Mechanisms

 

What is the most ideal surgical method in the treatment of obesity?

It is not possible to say that the most ideal method in obesity surgery is the following. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Many factors are effective when choosing the most ideal method for an obese person (age, gender, BMI value, comorbidity rate, diet, etc.).

 

Frequently asked questions about losing weight

When to start losing weight?

After the surgery, depending on the individual’s compliance with the diet, he/she starts to lose 10% to 20% of his/her current weight in the first 3 months. In the next 6 months, 30% to 35% is given and 40% is given in the first year.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT POST-SURGERY DISEASES

Will I get rid of diabetes after surgery?

In patients with type 2 diabetes due to morbid obesity (excessive obesity), a 70% full recovery can be seen after sleeve gastrectomy; If the patient has uncontrolled diabetes despite using insulin or has a low body mass index and type 2 diabetes, it would be more appropriate to apply metabolic surgery to this group. Up to 90% complete recovery can be seen with metabolic surgery.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE STOMACH BALLOON AND GASTRIC CLAMP

 How long does it take for the gastric balloon to be placed in the stomach?

The total duration of the endoscopy procedure (including placement, inflation or removal of the balloon) is approximately 10-15 minutes.

 

Is it necessary to stay in the hospital after the gastric balloon is inserted?

Balloon application is performed under sedation (asleep state). After the procedure, the patient is immediately awakened and taken to the room. The patient can be discharged from the hospital at any time after resting in his room for 1-2 hours.

 

What are the problems that may occur after the gastric balloon procedure?

1-2 hours after the gastric balloon is inserted, conditions such as cramps, nausea and vomiting may occur in connection with the pain threshold of the person. These are very normal and expected symptoms. The process of accepting the balloon of the stomach takes 3-4 days on average. These complaints continue to decrease. On discharge from the hospital, the patient is given stomach-protecting, cramping and anti-nausea medications. Thus, this period can be overcome more easily. Returning to your normal life may take a short or long time, depending on how quickly your stomach gets used to the balloon.

How long does the balloon stay in the stomach?

Gastric balloon is divided into two types, which are preferred according to the amount of weight to be lost and can stay in the stomach for 6 and 12 months depending on the type of balloon. 6 and 12 month balloons are different from each other. While 12-month balloons can be inflated in 3-month periods to prevent the adaptation of the stomach to the balloon; It is not suitable for balloon inflation at 6 months.

Does it cause a problem if the gastric balloon remains in the stomach longer than the removal time?

This increases the risk of the balloon bursting. Timely removal of the expired balloon is important. For patients who cannot lose enough weight, repeating the balloon procedure may be considered.

 

How is the gastric balloon removed?

The balloon placed in the stomach with the help of endoscopy is removed depending on the type. As a general principle, the balloon is deflated and emptied with the help of suitable removal kits. After the balloon is deflated, it is held and removed from the esophagus to the mouth. The process takes an average of 15 minutes.

 

What are the advantages of the Gastric Balloon?

Gastric Balloon application is not a surgical method. The application is performed endoscopically, it is a procedure that does not require general anesthesia and hospitalization. Its risk is quite low compared to other surgical procedures and it is easily tolerated by most people.

 

Can the gastric balloon be applied again after the gastric balloon is removed?

The gastric balloon can be removed and the second balloon can be applied immediately, or the gastric balloon can be removed and the same application can be made again after a certain period of time.

 

What are the advantages of the Gastric Clamp?

Gastric Clamp is a laparoscopic (closed) surgical application and the hospital stay is 1-2 days. The person who has the application can return to their old life in a very short time. In this application, the person’s eating is controlled by adjusting the handcuffs. The gastric band can be removed if desired, but this is not a recommended procedure.

 

What are the disadvantages of the Gastric Clamp?

The Gastric Clamp is a product made of silicone. Although silicone material is a medical product that adapts most easily to the human body today, it can cause reactions in some bodies. It is very important for the person to adapt to the nutrition program after the gastric band is applied. In the following periods, incompatible people may encounter problems such as slipping in the cuff, changing their position, and moving into the stomach. In such a case, removal of the clamp or a second surgery may be required. This also affects the rate of weight loss.

Is Gastric Clamping a permanent method?

Gastric Clamp is a permanent method. In the light of today’s information, if there is no problem with the clamp, it does not need to be removed.