Social media platforms have been flooded with the hashtag #VSG, but what is it? And is it right for you?
Vertical Sleeve gastrectomy or VSG is a type of weight loss surgery that has been demonstrated to be incredibly beneficial in assisting patients who are obese to improve their health and quality of life. A portion of the stomach is excised during a minimally invasive procedure to form a tiny, tube-like structure. Because the stomach can hold less food, patients may feel full relatively quick and eat less as a result. Additionally, the smaller stomach generates less ghrelin, a hormone that controls appetite and hunger. As a result, sleeve gastrectomy patients frequently achieve significant weight loss and enhancements in their general health.
One of the primary advantages of sleeve gastrectomy over other types of weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass, is that it is a less invasive procedure. This means that patients typically experience less pain and recover faster. Furthermore, sleeve gastrectomy does not involve rerouting or bypassing any part of the digestive system, which can lower the risk of complications and improve the surgery's long-term success.
Some studies have found that sleeve gastrectomy can be more effective than other types of weight loss surgery, such as lap band surgery, at assisting patients in achieving and maintaining long-term weight loss. This is due to sleeve gastrectomy’s ability to reduces the amount of Ghrelin produced by the stomach and increase other hormones such as GLP-1, which help regulate appetite and reduce the risk of weight regain.
Obesity is a serious health problem that can increase the risk of a variety of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Sleeve gastrectomy can significantly improve patients' quality of life and reduce their risk of developing these and other obesity-related conditions by assisting them in losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight.
One of the most notable ways that sleeve gastrectomy can improve the lives of patients suffering from obesity is by tackling the medical comorbidities associated with the condition. Comorbidities are additional health issues that are frequently present in patients that suffer from excess weight.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes are all common comorbidities. According to research, sleeve gastrectomy can be extremely effective in improving or resolving these and other medical comorbidities in obese patients. Researchers discovered that sleeve gastrectomy resulted in significant improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar control in obese patients in a study published in the journal Obesity Surgery. Other studies have found similar results, with patients experiencing significant improvements in their overall health and quality of life following a sleeve gastrectomy.
The rate at which a sleeve gastrectomy improves medical comorbidities varies according to the condition and the individual patient. However, studies have consistently shown that sleeve gastrectomy is an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions.
A study published in the journal Obesity Surgery, for example, discovered that sleeve gastrectomy resulted in significant improvements in blood pressure in 83% of hypertensive patients. Similarly, the procedure improved cholesterol levels significantly in 78% of patients.
Other studies have found comparable rates of improvement in medical comorbidities following sleeve gastrectomy. Researchers discovered that sleeve gastrectomy resulted in significant improvements in type 2 diabetes in up to 87% of patients and complete resolution of the condition in up to 75% of patients in a review of the literature published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, the procedure also improved sleep apnea in up to 85% of patients and completely resolved the condition in up to 75% of patients.
Overall, the evidence indicates that sleeve gastrectomy is an extremely effective treatment for a wide range of medical comorbidities associated with obesity. If you suffer from excess weight and concerned about the impact it may be having on your health, speak with us about whether a #VSG is right for you.
Joseph Melendez-Davidson, MD, FACS, FASMBS
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