Everything You Want to Know About Weight Loss Surgery Options

Gastric Sleeve Surgery or Sleeve Gastrectomy

Gastric Sleeve surgery is the removal of part of the stomach.  It is permanent and irreversible.   The end result is that the patient will feel fuller, faster, as the stomach cavity is smaller.  The surgery was developed in the 1960’s and literally ‘splits’ the stomach into two separate parts.  It creates a very small stomach, helping the patient to ‘feel full for longer’ and to restrict the absorption of calories.

The procedure is done under general anaesthetic. The surgeon will staple the stomach into two sections, the upper stomach, and lower stomach.  The top section is where the food you eat will go – and after the surgery it will be the size of a walnut.  The second part of the procedure is the actual bypass.  The surgeon will join the small intestine to the pouch, bypassing the bottom half of the stomach cavity. The bottom half of the stomach is then removed.  The procedure can be done via keyhole, or open surgery.  Depending on the this, the stay in hospital can be from 3 – 4 days (keyhole) – to a week or more.

Where can you get it done in Australia?

To find an approved Surgeon, find one in your area through the Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Pro’s of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:

• Surgery guarantees significant and permanent weight loss
• Can cure or improve Type 2 Diabetes, Sleep Apnoea and Hypertension
• No need for regular adjustments like the Lapband surgery.
• Patients can expect up to lose up to 66% of their excess weight in the first 3 years after surgery.

Con’s of Gastric Sleeve Surgery:

• This is major surgery.  Recovery time can take up to two weeks.
• As the food literally ‘flies’ through your system, there is a chance that nutrients are not absorbed.  Many patients must take a supplement to make up for potentially lost iron, calcium and vitamins.
• Risk of blood clots and infection.
• Higher risk of gallstones.

Eligibility for Surgery:

This is major surgery and is often performed on patients with a BMI of 40 or higher. Many will have to try the Gastric Balloon or Lapband surgery before a Gastric Bypass.

Where it is done:  A list of Australia Wide Clinics can be found HERE

How much does it cost?

Medicare in Australia does not fully cover the cost of bariatric surgery so there may be many out of pocket expenses. Plus not only is the cost of the surgery (which is estimated to be about $7000.00 in Australia), there are also costs including:

• Pre-operative appointments
• Surgeon’s Fee
• Anaesthetists Fee
• Hospital Stay (if not private health insurance)
• Aftercare programs

All up you could be looking at about $13,000.

Want More Information on Bariatric Surgery?

• Contact the Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand
• How to Calculate your BMI
• Read real stories on Weight Loss Surgery from SAHM Stories.