What’s the truth behind gastric sleeve surgery? Let’s explore, shall we? You’re here because you want to know the REAL truth about gastric sleeve surgery. This isn’t another “slim band” scam or a “lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks” dream. We’ll use logical, realistic research to try our best to tell you the truth behind this surgery. The truth is that gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss surgery that’s very effective and safe. It’s often called the “new gastric band” because it has many of the same benefits as a regular band but with less risk. And you must realize that it’s all accompanied by some discomfort and a necessity to have a liquid diet before gastric sleeve surgery.
The Liquid Diet Before Surgery
After your doctor has cleared you to undergo gastric sleeve surgery, you’ll be put on a liquid diet for at least three weeks before the procedure. This is so that your stomach can shrink and be prepared for the smaller pouch. You should be aware of two different stages before gastric sleeve surgery. The first is a liquid diet, and the second is a soft diet.
The liquid diet before gastric sleeve surgery lasts about five days. This means you will have to drink protein shakes, eat Jell-O, and drink broth to get your nutrition from liquids instead of solid foods. This is practiced so your body can help adjust to the deficiency of nutrients in your diet. After these five days, you will move onto a soft diet stage where you can eat things like yogurt, pudding, chicken noodle soup, mashed potatoes and gravy, egg whites without the yolk, salmon or tuna fish sandwiches without bread, and low-fat ice cream. You should also continue drinking protein shakes or soups during this time frame to keep up with your nutritional needs while on this type of diet plan!
Protein Shake Diet After Gastric Sleeve
If you’re on a liquid diet before gastric sleeve surgery, knowing how long you should be on a protein shake diet is essential. The general rule is that you should be on a protein shake diet for about six weeks before your gastric sleeve surgery. This will helps your body get used to not eating solid foods and give it time to adjust to the changes that will happen during the procedure. Not drinking too much water while on a liquid diet before gastric sleeve surgery is also essential because this can cause bloating and discomfort during recovery. Instead, try drinking small amounts of water throughout the day instead of large quantities.
Soft Food Stage After Gastric Sleeve
The soft food stage of the post-surgical diet is the most challenging part of recovery, as it requires you to transition from liquids to soft foods. The transition can take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks, depending on how well your body can tolerate a change in diet. You should consume at least eight fluid ounces every hour during this period. If you are having trouble maintaining this intake, speak with your doctor or nurse about ways you can increase your fluid intake without having to drink more frequently (such as adding juice mixes or thickening agents). Your doctor may also prescribe additional supplements, which can help increase your caloric intake during this period.
Staple Line Leak
The staple line leak is a complication that occurs after gastric sleeve surgery. It’s also called an internal hernia. The staple line is the line of sutures that join the stomach to the abdominal wall, after which it can be stitched together. A staple line leak occurs when these sutures begin to come apart, resulting in an opening in the abdominal wall where food and liquids can escape.
Gastric sleeve surgery results in a smaller stomach, meaning less food can be consumed at once; however, this usually leads to weight loss over time. It’s not uncommon for patients to lose up to 50 pounds within six months of gastric sleeve surgery. Although there’s no guarantee that you’ll experience a leak after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, it does occasionally happen—especially if you have had other types of abdominal surgeries before getting this procedure done on you as well—or if you’ve had past experiences with other issues like ulcers or gastrointestinal problems due to eating disorders (bulimia).
Long-term Recovery From Gastric Sleeve Surgery
The time you will need to recover from gastric sleeve surgery depends on the type of procedure and the number of days you have been on a liquid diet. Most patients can expect to spend at least a few weeks off work, although some individuals may be out of employment for several months.
Recovering From Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery requires a longer recovery than other weight loss surgery because it involves creating a smaller stomach pouch by removing part of the stomach. The average weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery is about 70 percent of excess body weight. This, however, differs from person to person based on the amount of abdominal body fat they possess.
Several factors need to be considered with this surgery. You will want to make sure you have time to recover properly and that there are no family issues during your recovery, such as the kids needing care you can’t give them. Family support will be essential. Always ask your primary surgeon how long he or she expects it to take for your full recovery. This will give you a decent notion of what to expect regarding your healing time.
