Gastric Sleeve
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Tijuana, Mexico
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is one of the most common bariatric procedures performed to assist patients with their weight loss journey. Its widespread employment and refinement in procedures have made it a safe, trusted, and durable option for patients and it has been shown to have significant effects in controlling appetite and reducing calorie intake.(1)
If you are carrying excess weight, you likely understand the toll it takes on your life. Extra pounds can negatively impact your self-image, and any previous unsuccessful attempts at getting your weight under control can undoubtedly chip away at your confidence. Additionally, being overweight or obese can impact your health and ability to live a fulfilling life. Our surgeons have an in-depth understanding of these issues and more; their extensive training and dedication to their craft allow our surgeons to achieve the best results possible for each patient.
Dr. Manuel Gutierrez Romero’s team of bariatric surgeons has successfully performed thousands of gastric sleeve procedures to help patients achieve weight loss success. If you want to make a change to your weight, do not hesitate to contact us. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gutierrez to begin planning your gastric sleeve procedure and enjoy a new, healthier life. If you have any questions about Dr. Gutierrez, the Cosmetic & Bariatric Surgery Center practice, travel details, pricing, or anything else, please call our Tijuana office. We will be happy to provide you with the information you need.
If you are calling from the United States, please dial (619) 572-8981. If you are calling from Mexico, please dial (664) 607 33 77. Alternatively, you can request information and an appointment with our online form.
Contents
About Sleeve Surgery
Obesity is one of the leading health issues not only in the United States but in Canada and Mexico as well. While losing weight through traditional methods like dieting, exercising, increased activity, lifestyle changes, and more is a proven method, it is often easier said than done. Some obese patients — defined by a body mass index (BMI) score of at least 35 — may have too many complications to incorporate these methods into their lives and require medical intervention.
Countless advancements have been made in the field of bariatric surgery to assist patients in their weight loss endeavors by providing significant, life-changing results. The gastric sleeve, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is one of these procedures. This surgery removes a portion of the stomach to create a smaller reservoir in the organ, thus reducing the amount of food that it can hold. On average, 80% of the stomach is removed. A typical adult stomach can hold up to 4 liters of food and drink. Removal of tissue in a sleeve gastrectomy reduces this to a capacity of about 0.8 liters, or about 27 ounces.
Another issue experienced by obese patients is “food noise.” This term refers to the constant obsession about food and its residency at the forefront of a patient’s mind; tantamount to an addiction. (2) New understandings of obesity and weight loss have shown that this mental fixation is one of the most difficult challenges to overcome in a weight loss journey. Bariatric procedures have helped patients retake control and “recalibrate” the synergy between the brain, appetite, and digestion.
Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy
Losing weight with a gastric sleeve procedure offers patients dozens of benefits, including:
- Significant Weight Loss: Many patients can expect to lose between 50 to 70% of their excess weight within the first year.
- Appetite Control: A smaller stomach creates reduced hunger hormones, helping you feel fuller faster and reducing cravings.
- Improved Health Conditions: Weight loss can lead to the resolution or improvement of obesity-related issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: The laparoscopic approach leads to smaller incisions, resulting in quicker recovery times and less scarring compared to open surgeries.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Patients often report better physical and emotional well-being post-surgery, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
- Greater Mobility: As weight decreases, patients typically enjoy increased mobility and activity levels, contributing to further weight loss.
- Long-lasting Results: Many individuals maintain their weight loss success over time through healthy lifestyle changes.
Candidates
To determine your candidacy, you will meet with Dr. Gutierrez for a consultation. He will evaluate your medical history and address any questions you have about the procedure. In general, candidates:
- Suffer from obesity: Obesity is determined by your BMI. Severe obesity (BMI greater than 35) is a qualifier for gastric sleeve surgery.
- Have not succeeded in previous attempts to lose weight: If you have repeatedly tried to lose weight in the past without success, gastric sleeve surgery can give you the boost you need to finally get the weight off. You may also be a candidate if you have managed to lose weight but cannot keep it off (“yo-yo” dieting or weight cycling).
- Are prepared for a lifestyle change: Gastric sleeve surgery can be considered a fresh start in managing your health. It is an effective procedure, but it requires commitment from the patient to adhere to the recovery process and the lifestyle changes that must occur following the procedure.
Personal Consultation
If you are considering gastric sleeve surgery, it is best to be treated by a highly skilled surgeon with a track record of providing excellent results. Dr. Gutierrez has a thorough understanding of the body you have as well as the body you want. He will work with you to understand your needs before setting you up for a successful weight loss journey through a tailored treatment plan.
If you are ready to shed weight and experience better health, contact our surgery center today to set up your consultation. Virtual and telephone consultations are available.
Preparation
In preparation for your gastric sleeve surgery, you will receive detailed preoperative instructions to follow closely. Adhering to these guidelines sets you up for a smoother experience and optimal results. Common preparations may include:
- Undergoing medical evaluations, including blood tests and imaging studies.
- Meeting with a nutritionist for dietary counseling, emphasizing essential pre-surgery eating habits.
- Adjusting current medications and discontinuing blood thinners as directed.
- Stopping smoking and avoiding nicotine products weeks prior to the procedure.
- Arranging for assistance during recovery, including arranging a ride home after surgery.
Procedure
Reducing the size of the stomach restricts patients from consuming large amounts of food. However, this procedure also decreases stomach hunger-causing hormones. Patients find that they can better control their appetites, feel fuller longer, and reduce food cravings after treatment. (3)
Once Dr. Gutierrez has created a plan for your procedure, you will be placed under general anesthesia and the targeted sites will be marked. Sleeve gastrectomies are now typically performed with laparoscopic probes; thin, long rods with cameras, scissors, and/or clamps at the tips. These minimize the incisions required to access your stomach and allow for a less invasive procedure. Once an initial incision has been made, Dr. Gutierrez will carefully insert these probes and navigate toward the stomach. He will carefully remove tissue from the stomach and then suture it closed. (3) The “sleeve” name comes from the new shape of the stomach. While a stomach will normally look like a bag, this new shape will be closer to a shirt sleeve, only slightly wider than the diameter of the esophagus above.
Recovery
Following your gastric sleeve procedure, you may initially feel fatigued. This is normal as your body will need to adjust to the decrease in calories consumed. You may experience some swelling and bruising in your torso as well. Dr. Gutierrez recommends avoiding work and exercise for at least a week.
Diet
Our exceptional team of surgeons will provide you with detailed instructions for taking care of yourself after your gastric sleeve surgery. This will include a dietary plan. In the first two weeks, you will need to stick to a liquid diet before being able to tolerate a more standard, solid food diet. After about one month, you should start to feel more like yourself.
In the months following your procedure, you may be able to consume a more regular diet, but you will still need to make wise food choices. You will not be able to consume as much food as before, so you will need to ensure the foods you choose are healthy and full of nutrients. It is important to be conscious of the food you are consuming and be in control of your eating habits. Regularly consuming too much food and straining your shrunken stomach can cause serious complications. (3)
Results
Once you have made progress in your healing, you will quickly notice your weight decreasing. Your decreased appetite and smaller stomach capacity will prevent you from eating as much food, and as such, your body will rely on its stored fat to supplement its nutrients. It is, however, still important to consume a nutritious diet to prevent deficiencies. As time passes and you form habits of exercise and healthy eating, you will begin to see your body shift into your ideal image.
Cost of Gastric Sleeve in Tijuana
Each patient’s weight loss journey is different. Dr. Gutierrez treats bariatric patients at all stages in their journey with varying amounts of excess weight. Because of this, each gastric sleeve procedure will be priced according to the individual’s treatment plan.
The best way to receive an accurate estimate of the cost of your procedure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gutierrez and discuss your goals. Cosmetic & Bariatric Surgery Center also offers various financing plans to help you obtain the procedures you need for your happiness. If you have any questions about these, please contact our Tijuana office and speak with our specialists.
References
- Seeras K, Lopez PP. Sleeve Gastrectomy. Nih.gov. Published January 19, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519035/
- Hayashi D, Edwards C, Emond JA, et al. What Is Food Noise? A Conceptual Model of Food Cue Reactivity. Nutrients. 2023;15(22):4809-4809. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224809
- Kheirvari M, Dadkhah Nikroo N, Jaafarinejad H, et al. The advantages and disadvantages of sleeve gastrectomy; clinical laboratory to bedside review. Heliyon. 2020;6(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03496