Gastric Sleeve Procedure Steps

Learn how the gastric sleeve surgery is performed

The Gastric sleeve helps to change your food preferences by reducing cravings for sweet and fatty foods and decreasing the desire for alcoholic drinks, so let’s find out how this surgery is performed.

Arrival At Auralia Clinic For Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Arrival and wait

As you enter the building, the reception area will be bright and welcoming and the receptionist will greet you with a smile, likely calling you by name to confirm your appointment then they will handle any paperwork you might need to complete and answer any preliminary questions you have about your Gastric Sleeve procedure.

You’ll be directed to a comfortable waiting area, perhaps with plush chairs, calming music, and informative brochures about Gastric Sleeve. This gives you a chance to relax and take your mind off the upcoming procedure.

Pre-Gastric Sleeve Surgery Consultation

A nurse or surgical technician will escort you to the pre-surgery room and there, you’ll meet the team involved in your Gastric Sleeve who are:

The board-certified plastic surgeons will introduce themselves, then they will review your medical history and the details of your desired outcome from Gastric Sleeve.

You will meet the anaesthesiologist, who will discuss the type of anaesthesia used and answer any questions you have about pain management during and after surgery.

A nurse will likely be present to take your vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature. They’ll also be happy to answer any questions you have.

The doctor will take ample time to address any anxieties you might have about your Gastric Sleeve and the implants you’re going to use, they’ll explain potential risks and ensure you understand what to expect, so feel free to ask as many questions as needed until you feel comfortable and informed.

Preparing for Your Gastric sleeve

While you’re consulting with the doctor, the surgical team will be busy preparing the operating room for your Gastric Sleeve, ensuring a sterile environment to minimize the risk of infection.

After the consultation, a nurse will likely guide you to a private changing room, where you’ll be provided with a surgical gown, which is a sterile garment you’ll wear during the procedure.

You might also be asked to remove any jewellery or accessories that could interfere with surgery.

Entering the Surgical Suite

A nurse will likely assist you as you walk to the surgical suite, which will likely be a brightly lit room with advanced medical equipment.

Once you’re comfortably positioned on the operating table, the nurse will likely attach monitoring devices to check your vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout the procedure.

The anaesthesiologist will likely introduce themselves again and answer any last-minute questions you might have about going to sleep during surgery.

Technical details of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Before surgery starts, your doctor will likely confirm all the details of the procedure with you one last time. This ensures everyone is on the same page and addresses any lingering anxieties.

With the IV line in place, monitoring devices attached, and the surgical team assembled around you, your doctor will ensure you feel comfortable and safe as they begin the Gastric Sleeve procedure.

The Steps Of The Gastric Sleeve Surgery

1. Anaesthesia: Ensuring Your Comfort

The first step on the day of your gastric sleeve surgery is the administration of general anaesthesia.

This ensures that you are completely unconscious and pain-free throughout the procedure.

Your anaesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs closely during the surgery to ensure you remain safe and comfortable.

You’ll be hooked up to machines that track your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other important bodily functions.

Why anaesthesia is crucial: Not only does it ensure you feel no pain, but it also relaxes the muscles in your body, making it easier for the surgeon to perform the procedure efficiently.

2. Making the Incisions for your Gastric sleeve: Minimally Invasive Approach

Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon will make small incisions in your abdomen.

These incisions, typically between 2 to 5 small cuts, are made to allow for the insertion of specialized surgical instruments and a laparoscope (a small camera).

This is part of what makes the procedure minimally invasive, as these incisions are much smaller than those in traditional open surgeries, leading to faster recovery and less scarring.

The laparoscope: is a small, tube-like camera inserted through one of the incisions. The camera provides a high-definition, real-time view of your abdominal cavity on a monitor, allowing the surgeon to operate with precision while minimizing tissue damage.

3. Reshaping the Stomach: Removing a Significant Portion

After verifying that the stomach has been resized correctly and no leaks are present, the surgeon will proceed to close the small incisions made at the beginning of the procedure.

These incisions will be sealed using dissolvable stitches or surgical glue, which will heal naturally over time without the need for removal.

Minimal scarring: One of the advantages of laparoscopic surgery is that the incisions are small, resulting in minimal scarring that is barely noticeable once fully healed.
Post-surgical monitoring: Before you are moved to recovery, the surgeon will double-check the surgical site, ensuring everything is in place and that the surgery has been successful.

The core part of the gastric sleeve procedure involves removing about 75-80% of the stomach. The remaining portion is shaped like a narrow tube or “sleeve,” significantly reducing the stomach’s capacity to hold food.

How the stomach is resized: Using a surgical stapler, the surgeon seals and divides the stomach along its length, removing the outer curved portion of the stomach.

This leaves behind a smaller, sleeve-like pouch that is about the size and shape of a banana.

Impact on hunger: The part of the stomach that is removed contains most of the cells responsible for producing ghrelin, the hormone that controls hunger. By reducing ghrelin production, you’ll experience a decrease in appetite and fewer cravings for unhealthy foods.

Laparoscopic precision: Because this surgery is done laparoscopically, the surgeon can perform these intricate steps with great accuracy, minimizing tissue damage and ensuring better outcomes for recovery.

4. Securing the New Stomach: Stapling and Testing for Leaks

Once the stomach has been resized, the surgeon will carefully secure the remaining sleeve with surgical staples.

These staples are crucial for sealing the new stomach pouch, preventing any leaks from the incision lines.

After the stomach is stapled, the surgeon will often perform a leak test to ensure that the new stomach is sealed correctly and that no digestive fluids are leaking into the abdominal cavity.

Why the leak test is important: This step is essential for ensuring the safety of the patient. A small tube may be inserted through the mouth to inflate the new stomach, and then a dye or gas may be introduced to verify that the staples are secure, and no leaks are present.

5. Final Checks and Closure: Securing the Incisions

After verifying that the stomach has been resized correctly and no leaks are present, the surgeon will proceed to close the small incisions made at the beginning of the procedure.

These incisions will be sealed using dissolvable stitches or surgical glue, which will heal naturally over time without the need for removal.

Conclusion: The Importance of Understanding the Gastric Sleeve Procedure

After verifying that the stomach has been resized correctly and no leaks are present, the surgeon will proceed to close the small incisions made at the beginning of the procedure.

These incisions will be sealed using dissolvable stitches or surgical glue, which will heal naturally over time without the need for removal.

The gastric sleeve surgery is a transformative procedure that not only helps in significant weight loss but also plays a crucial role in improving overall health and well-being. By reducing the stomach size and controlling hunger through hormonal changes, this surgery offers a long-term solution for managing obesity.

Your after Care With Auralia

We are a CHKS and ISO Approved Private Hospital in Ireland

All patients receive three post-op consultations, but if you feel you require more support, we can facilitate you without any extra cost.

Gastric Sleeve after care FAQ

What if I think that something is wrong after Gastric Sleeve Procedure?

Following your visit to Auralia, you will be given pre- and post-operative instruction to guide you on how to be well prepared for your gastric sleeve and what to do afterwards. This will also contain the clinic's contact details.

You will also be given your Auralia surgeon’s emergency mobile number for calls after hours. During work hours, you should contact the hospital.

If you suspect anything is wrong outside of business hours, you are welcome to call the emergency number of your surgeon and speak with them directly, day or night.

Alternatively, you can drop straight into the clinic during working hours.

Will I have to pay for appointments if I want to see my Auralia surgeon after Gastric Sleeve Procedure?

Absolutely not! You are entitled to as many appointments as you feel you need with your surgeon, following your gastric sleeve.

If I need an appointment with my Auralia surgeon years down the line, is it still free?

Absolutely! From the time you have your gastric sleeve with your Auralia surgeon, you are entitled to see them for appointments for as long as necessary.

If the surgeon no longer works for Auralia, you would still be entitled to see one of our surgeons for free.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Auralia

Want to lose weight and considering a Gastric Sleeve surgery? Get in touch with our expert team to get more insights and guidance to make your journey a success

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Your Weight Loss Journey With Auralia

Step 1.

Free, No Obligation Consultation Booking

To start your surgery process, firstly book your consultation by calling us on (01) 612 0551 or filling a consultation form here.

Step 2.

Meet Our Team

Once you have booked your consultation, you will meet with your patient care co-ordinator then your surgeon to discuss your weight loss goals, your health status, concerns and the procedure details.

Step 3.

Book Your Surgery

After your comprehensive consultation, your patient care co-ordinator will work with you to book a convenient date for your procedure.

Step 4.

Pre Op Assessment

Prior to your surgery date, you will have your pre-op assessment where we will go through your medical history with you, and instruct you how to prepare for your surgery day to avoid any risks.

Step 5.

Surgery Day

On your surgery day, you’ll have a dedicated medical team to take care of you. The surgery duration depends on which procedure you will have, and you will leave on the clinic same day or in few days depending on your specific case.

Step 6.

After Care

You will enjoy unlimited aftercare appointments and surgeon reviews as much as you need to ensure your safety and satisfaction with the results.

You will get access to the Auralia’s after care App to assess you further in your recovery period.

Furthermore, you will also have your surgeon’s emergency number so you get access to him any time 24/7.

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