Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Sleeve Gastrectomy?
Sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most popular and widely performed bariatric surgery procedures. During the procedure, approximately 80% of the stomach is removed, significantly reducing the stomach’s size. As a result, the patient feels full after eating a small amount of food. Sleeve gastrectomy is performed laparoscopically through four small incisions, each measuring no more than 2 cm. The procedure also reduces the production of the hunger hormone, making feelings of hunger less common after surgery.
Modified sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure in which a ring is placed around the stomach to help prevent it from stretching in cases where the patient overeats or consumes more food than the stomach can accommodate. This ring also applies pressure to a specific nerve in the stomach, creating a feeling of fullness and satiety that helps the patient stop eating.

Sleeve gastrectomy is not suitable in the following cases:

– If the patient’s excess weight is no more than 25 kg above their ideal weight, bariatric surgery may not be necessary. In this case, they can consider dieting, following a structured nutrition plan, and exercising to lose weight, or they may consider the Elipse gastric balloon (smart gastric capsule).

– Sleeve gastrectomy is not suitable for patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

A bariatric surgery patient is expected to lose approximately 8% of their body weight during the first month. Weight loss then continues until the patient reaches their ideal weight, typically within 6 months to one year. After that, the patient enters a stabilization phase to prevent further weight loss below a healthy level. This process is supported through nutritional guidance and postoperative follow-up at Matar Clinic.

Yes, there is a possibility of complications following bariatric surgery, although the risk is low and does not exceed 2%.

These complications may include:

1- The possibility of leakage, which is why it is important to follow all postoperative instructions carefully.

 

2- Dumping Syndrome.

 

3- The possibility of blood clots. To help prevent this, prescribed medications should be taken after surgery as directed.

 

4- Nutritional deficiencies and general weakness resulting from not following the doctor’s instructions and prescribed diet.

 

5- Stomach stretching due to overeating and excessive consumption of carbonated beverages.

 

6- Gallstones resulting from significant weight loss.

Yes, there is a possibility of complications following bariatric surgery, although the risk is low and does not exceed 2%.

These complications may include:

1- The possibility of leakage, which is why it is important to follow all instructions carefully.

 

2- Dumping Syndrome.

 

3- The possibility of blood clots. To help prevent this, the prescribed treatment should be taken after surgery as directed.

 

4- Nutritional deficiencies and general weakness resulting from not following the doctor’s instructions and prescribed diet.

 

5- Stomach stretching due to overeating and excessive consumption of carbonated beverages.

 

6- Gallstones resulting from significant weight loss.

The good news is that after bariatric surgery, there is no need to deprive yourself of food; bariatric patients can eat all types of food, but in small quantities due to the reduced stomach size, which means it can accommodate only small amounts of food.

Of course, it is important to follow a specific diet, especially during the first few weeks after surgery, to help the stomach heal and protect it from any complications.

Here are some examples of the diet followed during the first few weeks after bariatric surgery:

* Week One: Clear liquids and sugar-free beverages, such as anise tea – hibiscus tea – tea – skimmed milk – fat-free soup…

 

* Week Two: Thick liquids, such as low-fat yogurt – lentil soup – blended and strained vegetable soup – cottage cheese…

 

* Week Three: The well-puréed food stage, such as puréed vegetable soup – mashed potatoes – puréed apples – mashed eggs – peeled and ground fava beans – puréed fruit…

 

* Week Four: Boiled and soft foods – mashed chicken – minced meat – fish…

 

* Weeks Five and Six: The stage of gradually getting accustomed to soft, well-cooked foods.

If you are struggling with obesity and have tried various weight-loss methods, including dieting, exercise, and others, but unfortunately have not achieved satisfactory results, we recommend considering bariatric surgery.

Here are some of the results you may achieve through bariatric surgery:

1- Significant weight loss; reaching a healthy weight is no longer impossible, and you may be able to achieve it in less than a year.

 

2- Relief from the troublesome complications of obesity, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and blood lipid levels, and bone and joint problems…

 

3- Enjoying a new, healthier life filled with activity and vitality.

 

4- Noticeable improvement in psychological well-being and restored self-confidence.

 

5- Making many daily tasks and activities easier, such as moving around, using public transportation, and choosing clothes.

Anyone who tells you that vitamins are not necessary after bariatric surgery and that you can do without them is completely wrong.

This is because removing approximately 80% of the stomach during bariatric surgery, along with the reduced absorption of nutrients and sugars, especially after gastric bypass surgery, makes taking vitamins after surgery very important to compensate for nutritional and vitamin deficiencies in the patient’s body.

– It is well known that sleeve gastrectomy should be followed by a period of taking vitamins for at least 6 months, or according to the doctor’s instructions.

In the case of gastric bypass surgery, the period is longer because the body’s absorption of nutrients and sugars is reduced.

Gastric bypass surgery can help treat type 2 diabetes through:

1- Reducing sugar absorption.

2- Stimulating the pancreas.

3- Stimulating the production of intestinal hormones.

Gastric bypass surgery can help treat type 2 diabetes through:

1- Reducing sugar absorption.

2- Stimulating the pancreas.

3- Stimulating the production of intestinal hormones.

The Matar Clinic team and Dr. Mohamed Matar take all necessary precautions to help prevent complications after bariatric surgery. Therefore, patients wear compression stockings during the procedure to help protect against the possibility of blood clots after bariatric surgery, even though the risk is low.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions among patients considering bariatric surgery, as fear of pain is one of the main concerns patients may have. We would like to reassure you that postoperative pain is generally manageable and can be relieved with standard pain medications.

We also use an electronic Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) device, which is connected to the IV cannula and remains with the patient for a few days. The device delivers precise, calculated doses of pain medication, which the patient can control and use when experiencing pain.

Professor Dr. Mohamed Matar provides some important recommendations that should be followed after undergoing bariatric surgery, including:

1- Follow the prescribed diet after bariatric surgery, especially during the first few weeks, to help the stomach heal and protect the patient from discomfort and complications.

2- Chew food slowly and avoid swallowing it immediately.

3- Avoid eating and drinking at the same time, as the smaller stomach may not be able to accommodate both simultaneously.

4-Avoid carbonated beverages, as they may cause stomach expansion and contribute to weight regain.

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5-Drink sufficient amounts of water and fluids to maintain healthy skin and help prevent sagging.

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6- Take vitamins and nutritional supplements as prescribed to compensate for nutritional and vitamin deficiencies resulting from the reduced stomach size and decreased absorption of nutrients and sugars in bariatric procedures, especially gastric bypass surgery.

7- Avoid weighing yourself too frequently. It is better to weigh yourself approximately once every two weeks to monitor your progress.

8- Stop eating as soon as you feel full and avoid overeating beyond the stomach’s capacity, as this may cause the stomach to stretch.

Dumping Syndrome is one of the potential complications of bariatric surgery, with an incidence of no more than 2% of cases.

 

This condition occurs when food passes too quickly from the stomach into the intestines. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as:

 

Vomiting – nausea – diarrhea – abdominal cramps – stomach discomfort – increased heart rate.

 

These symptoms may appear 1 to 3 hours after eating, especially after fatty or sugary meals.
Dumping Syndrome is diagnosed based on the patient’s medical history and by checking blood glucose levels.


Treatment of Dumping Syndrome may involve medications, and in many cases, symptoms can be managed simply by modifying the diet and reducing portion sizes.


If there is no improvement with medication or lifestyle changes, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Bariatric surgery is no longer considered a luxury; obesity is now considered a serious disease that threatens health and affects all functions and organs of the body. It is well known that obesity and diabetes are two sides of the same coin, and obesity can also lead to many other troubling complications, such as:

– High blood pressure.
– High cholesterol and blood lipid levels.
– Delayed pregnancy.
– Bone and joint diseases.
– Various psychological problems resulting from body image concerns, difficulty moving, and challenges with social integration.

Therefore, bariatric surgery is now considered a lifeline for many patients who have lost hope of losing weight and reaching their ideal weight.

Protein is an essential part of the healing and weight-loss process after surgery. Since your food intake is limited, you should include protein-rich beverages that are low in fat and sugar in your diet, using the protein supplement prescribed by your nutritionist at Matar Clinic, while also making sure to consume protein-rich foods.

Most doctors recommend that women wait at least one year after surgery before becoming pregnant. After approximately one year following surgery, the body is generally more stable in terms of weight and nutrition. You should consult your surgeon before planning a pregnancy.

Hair loss after bariatric surgery is common and tends to occur three to five months after the procedure. This is usually due to insufficient protein intake, but it can be minimized by following a protein-rich diet, especially immediately after surgery. Hair loss can occur for several reasons, including inadequate protein intake, not taking multivitamins or hair-specific vitamins, or even the rapid weight loss that occurs after surgery. At Matar Clinic, the nutrition team provides you with the necessary guidance and advice to help address this issue.

Most people leave the hospital one or two nights after surgery. You may experience mild to moderate pain, which can usually be well controlled with the prescribed pain medications.

You are expected to start walking on the day of surgery, gradually increasing your activity level. This is very important in reducing the risk of certain serious complications, including pneumonia and blood clots. Within one to two weeks, you should notice significant improvement, and your mobility will be nearly back to what it was before surgery. Most patients need approximately one to two weeks before returning to work, depending on the nature of their job..

Start Your Journey Toward a Healthier Weight and Better Health Today

Consult Dr. Mohamed Matar and discover the most suitable solution for safely losing excess weight with minimal risk of complications.
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