Harrison General Surgery – Jason Harrison, MD, PA
Archive for the ‘Weight Loss Surgery Procedures’ Category
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy – better known as the gastric sleeve procedure – is a restrictive form of weight loss surgery. And, like any weight loss surgery procedure, the gastric sleeve not only changes the shape and function of your stomach, it also changes your relationship with food. In a very real way, you will have to learn how to eat all over again. Unlike with the gastric bypass procedure, however, the outlet valve for your stomach remains intact, and your stomach –albeit much smaller – will continue to function normally. That means you have far fewer restrictions on the types of foods you can eat after surgery.
Dr. Jason Harrison practices weight loss surgery in Arlington, Texas, specializing in the LAP-BAND® and gastric sleeve procedures. Dr. Harrison and his staff are dedicated to providing exemplary patient care. They will gladly answer questions about your procedure and ensure that you are as comfortable as possible throughout your recovery from surgery.
REDUCING YOUR RECOVERY TIME
You wake up in a room of dazzling light and constant noise. At first you’re confused, anxious, and unsure of where you are. Then you remember: the brief ride on the gurney, the smell of the anesthetic, the smiling face of your nurse overhead…then blackness. Suddenly it all makes sense. You are in a hospital recovery room, surrounded by people caring for you. Your weight loss surgery is over. Your new life has begun.
Knowing your metabolic rate can make a big difference in your weight loss success. After all, from a scientific standpoint, losing weight is simple. The key is to cut calories. Whether you have weight loss surgery or simply follow a healthy diet plan, when you reduce your calorie intake below the number of calories your body needs to keep you alive, you lose weight.
But, what is a calorie, exactly? And how can we know the number of calories our bodies need to stay alive?
Understanding Your Metabolic Rate
The gastric sleeve procedure may not get as much press as the LAP-BAND® or gastric bypass, but it is an excellent option for those considering weight loss surgery.
The gastric sleeve–also known as the sleeve gastrectomy, vertical gastrectomy or parietal gastrectomy–involves dividing the stomach into two vertical sections using surgical staples, and removing approximately 85% of the stomach pouch. The remaining portion of the stomach, which is shaped somewhat like a banana, drastically reduces the amount of food that the stomach can hold. This procedure is not reversible; however, it presents less likelihood of complications than gastric bypass surgery, which can cause vitamin and protein deficiency, and you do not need to schedule an office visit every two months to have your LAP-BAND® readjusted. Also, patients who undergo the sleeve gastrectomy have fewer restrictions on the types of food that they can eat.
Dr. Harrison specializes in gastric banding (a.k.a., LAP-BAND®) and gastric sleeve procedures for the surgical management of obesity.
The LAP-BAND® is an adjustable silicon band that is fastened around the upper portion of the stomach and tightened like a belt, to create a smaller pouch at the top of the stomach. A balloon attached to the inside of the LAP-BAND® is then filled with saline solution through a port nestled just beneath the skin on the abdomen. This balloon is used to adjust the tightness of the LAP-BAND®, and LAP-BAND® patients are required to visit their surgeon several times a year to adjust the band, as needed. Because LAP-BAND® surgery is done laparoscopically, patients have a faster recovery time and less chance of complications than patients undergoing a gastric bypass or vertical banded gastroplasty procedure.