When it comes to surgical weight loss, there are many viable options available. Gastric sleeve surgery in El Paso is one type of surgery that can help patients lose weight and keep it off. Learn how to prepare ahead of surgery, what happens during and what to expect afterwards.
What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
With gastric sleeve surgery in El Paso, the surgeon will remove a portion of the stomach and connect it to the other portions, which will form a sleeve shape. The new stomach is about 1/10 the size of your original, which means it will take less food to make you full. The surgery also removes a part of the stomach that creates an appetite-boosting hormone.
Preparing for Surgery
Before surgery, you will be given explicit instructions you must follow to achieve the best results. For example, if you’re a smoker, you must stop at least four weeks before your surgery. You should also not take certain medications like blood thinners and aspirin for about a week ahead of time. Your doctor might also require you to attend educational classes to learn more about the procedure.
During Surgery
The entire surgery only takes about an hour and will involve the physician making a few small incisions in the abdomen. Through the cuts, a small camera will be inserted to send real-time photos to a monitor. Other instruments will be inserted into the incisions to ultimately remove ¾ of your stomach. The rest of the stomach will be used to create the sleeve.
Aftercare
Immediately after gastric sleeve surgery in El Paso, you will only be able to drink clear liquids. After you leave the hospital the same day, you will consume protein shakes and pureed foods for the next four weeks. About a month after surgery, you can begin to eat soft, solid foods.
To learn more about gastric sleeve surgery in El Paso, go to the Memorial Weight Loss Center website .
