What are the Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Obesity is a serious epidemic in the US, and thousands of individuals die each year because of underlying health risks related to their weight. Individuals that have become obese need to take steps to get better control over their weight and their health. Gastric sleeve surgery presents individuals with a medical intervention that could help them lose weight at a steady pace. It is not the same as gastric bypass surgery or Gastric Band Surgery. However, it does provide results and could save the individual’s life. Reviewing the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery helps the individual determine if the surgery is the best choice for them.

Decreasing the Mortality Rate

The average number of obesity-related deaths in the US each year is around 116,000. The mortality rate is based on underlying diseases that occur more often in individuals who are morbidly obese. According to studies, patients can reduce their risk of early mortality if they undergo gastric sleeve surgery and lose weight. The Obesity Control Center offers a host of services that help individuals lose weight and improve their health.

Improving Their Quality of Life

Quality of life is a major concern for individuals that have become morbidly overweight. As they gain weight, they begin to lose mobility and may require in-home nursing care to complete normal tasks. When the weight gain causes breathing difficulties, this could diminish their quality of life making it difficult for the individuals to get up and down without becoming winded, and they may require oxygen tanks just to get through each day. If the individual cannot get up and move around, they are more likely to gain more weight and face serious health crises.

Reducing Their Risk of Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious illness on its own, however, individuals who are obese face a higher probability of developing it because of a poor diet and the body’s inability to control blood glucose levels. Individuals who haven’t developed the disease have a better chance of reducing their risk if they undergo a gastric sleeve surgery to lose weight efficiently. An individual who has become obese will need medical intervention to improve the way they lose weight and decrease the risk of developing lifelong diabetes.

Decreasing the Risk of Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is the accumulation of fat in the liver that could prove threatening to the health. It can occur in individuals who are alcoholics and individuals who are obese. Most individuals with the condition do not exhibit any symptoms, and a doctor may discover the condition when investigating other conditions. Individuals who are obese could be tested for the liver disease to determine if they are facing any serious health risks before gastric sleeve surgery. Doctors will require the patients to start a new diet before the surgery, and the two-week diet starts according to when the patient’s surgery is scheduled.

Getting Better Control Over Their Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a serious illness that is hallmarked by uncontrollable blood pressure levels. Doctors often prescribe medication to control hypertension and lower health risks. However, individuals who are obese are at a greater risk of hypertension because of their body mass and diet. The stress on the body could increase the risk of heart damage and increase the risk of a cardiac episode. By undergoing the gastric sleeve surgery, the individuals could decrease their weight and get better control over their blood pressure. Dramatic weight loss could reduce the negative impact on the heart and keep the individual healthier.

Improving Mobility and Preventing Joint Pain and Injuries

Individuals who are obese are at a greater risk of developing joint pain and injuries that will also affect their mobility. If the individuals sustain a broken bone, it could take far longer for them to recover and get back on their feet. Many individuals choose to undergo gastric sleeve surgery because they experience frequent symptoms of arthritis because of the pressure on their joints. The gastric sleeve surgery doesn’t cause dramatic weight loss immediately. It takes up to 18 months to lose the weight, and the patient must follow a strict diet and exercise plan.

Lowering the Risk of Developing Cancer

Cancer development is far greater if the individual is obese. Because of their increased body mass, it could become difficult for the doctors to find tumors at an earlier stage. It is vital for the patient to consider these risks when approaching treatment for obesity. If they have a family history of cancer, the surgery could provide them with a decreased risk of developing cancer. It could also improve their chances of finding cancer at an earlier and more treatable stage. The doctor will explain these risks during the patient’s consultation for the gastric sleeve surgery.

Decreasing the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is hallmarked by airflow blockage when the individual sleeps. They experience sleep disturbances because they stop breathing suddenly. Sleep apnea is often caused by a deviated septum or the placement of the jaw. Obstructive sleep apnea could be caused by significant weight on the lungs and pressure that could make it difficult for the individual to breathe when they are laying down.

Individuals who are obese face a greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea. If they continue to gain weight, the individual could increase their risk of death because of a profound difficulty to breathe when resting. Undergoing gastric sleeve surgery could eliminate these health risks.

Obesity is a leading cause of death in the US, and medical procedures could provide help for individuals who suffer from the condition. Gastric sleeve surgeries involve the removal of a portion of the stomach and the creation of a sleeve with the remaining portion. The stomach is stapled to maintain its structure, however, it will expand more after the patient recovers. It is a great way to lose weight for individuals that have become obese and have failed to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Reviewing the procedure shows how it could improve the patient’s quality of life and decrease a host of health risks.