Gastric sleeve surgery, formally known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a bariatric procedure designed to assist individuals in achieving significant weight loss. This surgical intervention reduces the stomach’s size, limiting food intake. The procedure plays an important role in managing obesity by physically restricting food intake and influencing hunger signals.
The Gastric Sleeve Procedure
The gastric sleeve procedure involves surgically removing a substantial portion of the stomach, typically 75% to 85% of its original volume. This leaves a narrow, tube-shaped stomach, often compared to a banana. This alteration is permanent.
The surgery is commonly performed using laparoscopic techniques, involving several small abdominal incisions for instruments and a camera. Beyond reducing stomach capacity, the procedure removes the gastric fundus, which produces ghrelin, the hunger hormone. This reduction in ghrelin levels contributes to decreased appetite and fewer cravings.
Understanding Your New Stomach Size
After gastric sleeve surgery, the stomach is dramatically reduced in size. Initially, the new stomach, or “sleeve,” has an approximate volume capacity of about 3 to 5 ounces (90 to 150 ml), comparable to a small teacup or a shot glass.
This smaller volume leads to a quicker feeling of fullness, a primary mechanism for weight loss. The initial size helps limit caloric intake and individuals feel satisfied with much smaller portions.
Adapting to Your Smaller Stomach
Life with a significantly smaller stomach requires substantial changes to eating behaviors. Immediately after surgery, individuals must consume very small portions of food. Eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly becomes important to prevent discomfort and aid digestion.
It is also necessary to separate liquid and solid intake, typically by waiting about 30 minutes after eating before drinking. Certain foods that are difficult to digest or may cause blockages, such as fibrous vegetables, doughy breads, and chewy meats, are often avoided initially. The diet focuses on nutrient-dense foods, particularly protein, to ensure adequate nutrition despite reduced intake.
Stomach Capacity Over Time
The stomach is a flexible organ, and while the gastric sleeve is designed to be resistant, some minor expansion can occur over time. However, significant or problematic stretching of the sleeve is often linked to consistent overeating rather than an inherent failure of the surgery.
Regularly consuming larger portions than recommended can gradually lead to an increased capacity of the sleeve, potentially impacting weight loss maintenance. Adhering to the dietary guidelines and mindful eating practices long-term is important to prevent excessive stretching and to sustain the benefits achieved from the surgery. While the sleeve will not revert to its original pre-surgery size.