It’s a weight loss procedure where most of the stomach is removed, reducing its capacity by up to 75%, along with the removal of the area where the hormone that stimulates appetite is produced. As a result, your portion size and appetite are therefore reduced. It is important to make lifestyle changes too in terms of healthy eating and regular activity to achieve the best possible results.
As 75% of your stomach is removed, naturally your appetite and the portion sizes you can manage will reduce. One of our dedicated and expert dietitians who will be looking after you will advise you on food and liquids intake throughout the length of your aftercare cover, depending on the package that you choose.
All surgery comes with the risks of complications, which will be explained to you fully in your consultation, so you are fully aware of what is involved and can make an informed decision about having gastric sleeve surgery.
Some people may experience dumping syndrome after a gastric sleeve procedure. This is the name given to a range of symptoms experienced after consuming food or fluid containing a lot of carbohydrates (especially sugar). It occurs because the stomach empties more quickly after gastric sleeve surgery compared with before.
You will be fully supported by one of our specialist dietitians to ensure that any potential risks of malnutrition and dumping syndrome are minimal, and you will also have the opportunity to purchase vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need.
Gastric sleeve surgery can completely overhaul your health and overall quality of life and most people are successful in accomplishing significant weight loss – as much as 55-60% after three years.
Losing significant amount of weight can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life, ability to enjoy higher energy levels and more freedom in the things you can do. It can also help treat and reduce the impact of illnesses and some medical conditions associated with obesity.
Gastric sleeve surgery a is permanent decision and an irreversible surgery, so you cannot change your mind once you have had the procedure as it involves the removal of part of your stomach. As with any surgery, gastric sleeve surgery carries some possible complications which will be discussed with you in details prior to the surgery.
The gastric sleeve is more invasive than a gastric band, but not such a major operation as a gastric bypass. It may therefore suit patients for whom the bypass is inadvisable due to health complications. Usually patients most suitable to have gastric sleeve surgery are those with a BMI of 40kg/m2 or over, although if your BMI is between 30kg/m2 and 40kg/m2, you may be considered, especially if you have obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and even more so if you are from an Asian background (source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline 189, 2014). However, surgery is dependent on a bariatric surgeon’s opinion and your individual circumstances. All our weight-loss surgery patients have an in-depth consultation prior to surgery to discuss the most suitable procedure for them.
You will normally stay in hospital for 2-3 nights after your surgery.
The sleeve works to reduce portion sizes, not specific food types. Compared to the bypass, there are fewer restrictions on the types of food that patients can consume. However, some patients may struggle with certain textures of food such as bread or red meat.
We advise you avoid alcohol for the first 4 weeks and following this, be mindful that your tolerance is likely to reduce. After your surgery, it is likely you will absorb alcohol into your bloodstream more quickly than before the operation.
Dumping syndrome or rapid gastric emptying is relatively common following bariatric surgery procedures that bypass the majority of the stomach. It describes the symptoms that occur when food moves too quickly through the stomach and “dumped” into the small intestine. However, only 1% of patients report their symptoms difficult to manage, and often occurs less as time passes.
The overall recovery time after a gastric sleeve procedure will vary based on you and your individual circumstances. Many people feel comfortable walking a day or two after the surgery and can return to work within a few weeks, but it is best to always follow the advice of your expert weight loss surgeon.
According to the NHS, more people tend to achieve significant weight loss with a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy than with a gastric band. Most people are successful in accomplishing significant weight loss – as much as 55-60% after three years but this will vary from person to person and the amount of effort that you put into changing your lifestyle and eating habits.
The cost of gastric sleeve surgery may vary, depending on a range of factors. Use our price check to work out how much your surgery could cost. You can choose to pay for your treatment in full or spread the cost out over 24, 36, 48 or 60 months using our finance options.
For example, if your gastric sleeve procedure costs £9,145 you could pay a £500 deposit on a loan plan at 12.9% APR and pay 60 monthly instalments at £193.18pcm this would mean you’d pay £12,090.80 in total.
Our 0% finance options allow to spread the costs surgery over a 6, 10 or 12-month period completely interest free.
We want you to make a fully informed decision before you go ahead with surgery, so we offer a private consultation at your local clinic free of charge. At your consultation, you’ll meet with a bariatric surgeon to discuss the weight loss options available and whether gastric sleeve surgery is the most suitable procedure for your needs. You’ll be able to ask questions about all aspects of the surgery, from aftercare and dietary changes to the results you can expect. You’ll also meet your patient care coordinator, who will be with you every step of the journey. They will give you a personal quotation of costs and information about finance options, the expected timescale, our surgical facilities and door-to-door transport services.
At your consultation, you can book your surgery if you feel ready, but there’s no obligation to go ahead.Bariatric surgery is a big step and you may want to take time to do more research and think about your decision. We’ll give you a patient information booklet, which provides comprehensive information on your weight loss procedure, aftercare and dietary guidelines. This is an important resource and we require patients to read the detailed information it contains. You’ll also find lots of helpful information here on our website – you can read about our surgeons’ qualifications, THG’s weight loss management expertise and inspiring stories from some of our patients. Our patient care coordinators are available to discuss any concerns you may have. And when you feel ready, they can book you in for your procedure. We also have a 14-day ‘cooling off’ period in place, which means that if you change your mind about the procedure after booking within that period, you will not be charged.
On the day of your surgery, your medical team will make your experience as comfortable as possible and you’ll meet your surgeon again before the procedure. The gastric sleeve procedure is usually carried out as keyhole surgery. It involves vertical removal of up to 75% of the stomach area to leave a thin sleeve. The stomach continues to function as normal, but the smaller sizerestricts the amount you can eat and makes you feel full after smaller meals. It also aims to drop appetite hormone levels to reduce your appetite. Less stomach acid is produced, which can affect the absorption of some vitamins and minerals and so supplements are required for life. Gastric sleeve surgery is non-reversible.
We’ll be here throughout the recovery process to help you recuperate quickly.For gastric sleeve surgery you’ll need to stay in the hospital where your surgery has taken place for 2-3 nights. Each patient is given a personalised care plan, developed on the advice of their surgeon. All THG hospitals are equipped to the highest standards of clinical care and patient comfort.
When you have a gastric sleeve, the surgery is only the start of your journey. At THG, we offer a full package of aftercare support to help you achieve your weight loss goals. You’ll benefit from the following aftercare for 2 years: Access to a dedicated weight loss support team who can help with booking appointments, emotional support, practical ideas and solutions Specialist support from a bariatric surgeon, dietitians and nurses Surgical cover for 6 months 24-hour emergency telephone helpline.