A common and effective weight loss approach is a gastric sleeve surgical treatment, a sleeve gastrectomy. It has helped hundreds of people acquire their health and fitness desires. However, like several vital surgical tactics, it requires thorough guidance to ensure the best possible results. Thus, this guide will provide the steps to prepare for sleeve gastrectomy and cover all the information you need to get ready for the surgical procedure, from the initial consultation to post-operative care.
What is Gastric sleeve surgery?
Sleeve gastrectomy procedure helps obese patients. Moreover, a surgeon may also prescribe it when a patient runs out of choices for dropping weight. A weight loss surgeon removes approximately 80% of the stomach during a sleeve gastrectomy surgical treatment. Thus, this limits the number of meals a person can devour and assists shed kilos in the long term.
It is a significant approach that contains risks, even though this operation can help people with obesity. Additionally, people can only preserve weight loss by following a sustainable diet and workout plan.
Steps to Prepare for Sleeve Gastrectomy
Pre Surgery Diet
In the weeks before the surgical operation, the weight loss will work with the healthcare provider and a dietician to prescribe a pre-surgery diet for patients to stick to. Thus, this weight loss plan is designed to do three things — decrease the risk of complications during the surgical procedure, improve the safety of the method, and acclimatize individuals to the adjusted eating portions and behaviors after the surgical treatment.
The suggested dietary plan can be scheduled three weeks before the surgery to:
- Reduce the intake of sugars and carbohydrates from ingredients like soft liquids, bread, and pasta.
- Aim for 60 grams of protein daily from chicken, fish, and eggs.
- Limit fat resources to healthy fats from fish, olives, and nuts rather than from butter or fried meals.
- Maintain good hydration levels by ingesting lots of water and avoiding alcohol.
2-3 days earlier than the surgical operation, patients will be on an all-liquid food regimen. The only food consumed will be soup, water, and low-calorie isotonic beverages. Thus, this is important to prepare the digestive system for the surgery. Failing to adhere to the advised diets may result in a cancellation of the surgical procedure because of the high chance of complications.
Stop Smoking
Smoking interferes with recovery in multiple ways. First, the chemical compounds in smoke intrude along with your circulation and make it harder for your body to supply oxygen and vitamins vital for recovery.
Smoking also affects your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to combat germs and increase your threat of contamination. Hence, quitting your smoking habit a month or more before can dramatically enhance your recovery and healing duration and reduce your risk of complications.
Quit Alcohol
In the case of alcohol, in contrast to cigarettes, it isn’t so critical to stop for some time earlier than the procedure unless you have a consumption problem and you tend to ingest alcohol often or daily. If alcohol is something you consume sparingly (one glass of wine a day as an example), in theory, there is no need to stop it more than a few days earlier than the procedure.
However, to avoid any upset stomach, it would be best to prevent it at least a week earlier than the process. It is crucial to be aware that alcohol, inclusive of all types of alcoholic liquids, is usually excessive in calories. Additionally, it can easily pass through the gastric sleeve because it is a liquid. Therefore, after undergoing the procedure, you need to limit your alcohol consumption.
Prepare Mentally Before Gastric Sleeve
The mental/emotional preparation is also tremendously variable, depending on the bariatric group. Ideally, the patient ought to be aware of all of the pros and cons of surgery and its risks. Having optimal conditions at home for the patient’s recovery, professionals advise that their loved ones participate in the procedure so that they may be allies and provide adequate assistance.
Establishing an appointment with a therapist who can support you emotionally during the process is highly recommended. A professional, including a psychologist, will let you become stronger mentally and emotionally for the changes that are to come before and after your surgical treatment.
Get Medical Clearance
Excess weight could make any form of weight loss surgery, including weight loss surgical treatment, riskier. Before being authorized for sleeve gastrectomy surgical treatment, your care team will examine your heart and lung function to ensure that your body is robust and sufficient to withstand the stresses of the technique. You’ll additionally undergo bloodwork to check your metabolic and dietary state.
Other examinations can be needed, too, based totally on your health status and the sort of surgical operation you’re having. Some patients with gastrointestinal symptoms may also need an endoscopy, for instance. Moreover, your medical professional may also endorse sleep apnea checking out, radiology research, or bone density assessments.
Prepare for Lifestyle Changes
It is essential to remember that the surgery is not a magic fix for weight loss. However, consistent weight loss is achieved by making lifestyle adjustments such as consuming smaller, more healthy quantities and engaging in everyday exercise.
Patients ought to prepare mentally and physically to commit to a new way of life and habit as a way to promote weight loss, as well as offer a better quality of lifestyle.
Prepare Your Home
Catch up with family chores before your surgical procedure, and if you could, have family participants or friends on hand to run errands and complete other responsibilities during the immediate healing period. Moreover, you’ll need a lot of time to relax and rest. So, arranging for chores earlier than surgery helps you focus all your attention on healing.
Meal Plan for Post-Surgery Diet
Like a pre-surgical operation food plan, a post-surgical food plan may be essential for at least the first 4-6 weeks of recovery. The new stomach sleeve and digestive system may be very sensitive to the type of meals consumed during this period.
During the first week after surgery, patients will only be allowed to consume beverages without added sugar or caffeine. This weight-loss regimen will expand over the next two weeks to include pureed foods, such as eggs, fish, soft fruits, and vegetables, and heavier liquid food sources, such as yogurt and pudding. As the healing progresses into the fourth week, the meal plan will return the same allowances as during pre-surgery.
Pack Your Hospital Bag
Patients usually stay in the hospital for one to two days after surgery to heal before leaving the hospital. Your healing will go more smoothly if your hospital bag has all your essentials.
Wrapping Up
Sleeve gastrectomy is a major surgical operation and an influential decision: Sleeve gastrectomy in Pakistan is gaining popularity as an effective weight-loss solution. Being well-prepared before a surgical treatment is crucial for this reason. Preparing for a gastric sleeve does not have a one-size-fits-all approach. Different doctors and hospitals offer their instructions to patients. You should comply with your doctor and health facility’s suggestions to prepare for the sleeve gastrectomy procedure. Moreover, you may create the conditions for a successful surgical procedure and a healthier future by heeding the advice of your healthcare team and taking proactive measures to get ready on all levels—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
You may also read: Managing Fluid Overload and Dehydration
Remember, the surgery is only the first step; your commitment to long-term life improvements will make all the difference.
