Understanding Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is a potent tool in our armory against obesity. It is a surgical procedure that entails the reduction of the stomach’s size to about 15% of its original volume1. The result is a smaller, banana-shaped stomach that restricts the amount of food a person can consume and hence the number of calories they can take in. The surgery also reduces the production of hunger-inducing hormones, which helps to suppress appetite, making it easier for patients to adopt healthier eating habits.

The primary goal is to promote weight loss by creating a physical limitation on intake, encouraging satiety earlier in a meal. Numerous studies have shown that sleeve gastrectomy effectively aids significant weight loss in obese patients, often leading to an improved quality of life and reduction in obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension2.

The Role of Weight Loss Medications: Saxenda and Wegovy

While sleeve gastrectomy plays a transformative role, it alone does not offer a remedy for weight loss. For various reasons, including the body’s adaptive responses to weight loss, some patients may encounter weight loss plateaus or even regain weight after surgery3. This is where the pivotal role of weight loss medications like Saxenda and Wegovy comes in.

These FDA-approved drugs work by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain to regulate appetite. As a result, you feel less hungry and more satisfied after eating4. Saxenda and Wegovy have shown promising results in enhancing weight loss outcomes when incorporated into a comprehensive weight loss plan. This plan includes dietary changes, regular physical activity, and behavioral changes5.

The Combined Approach: Harnessing the Benefits of Surgery and Medication

Bariatric Associates believes in the power of a combined approach to tackling obesity. Sleeve gastrectomy, coupled with post-operative weight loss medication, has yielded superior results in our practice.

For those patients who have plateaued after weight loss surgery or regained weight, the addition of Saxenda or Wegovy often proves to be a game-changer, empowering patients to overcome weight plateaus and regain control over their progress. The tandem use of surgery with medications allows for more predictable, controlled, and sustainable weight loss6.

Moreover, combining these treatments provides a two-pronged attack against obesity. The sleeve gastrectomy limits physical intake while the medications help manage appetite and metabolic responses. This dual strategy optimizes the weight loss journey and helps patients achieve sustainable and long-lasting results.

Patient-Centered Care at Bariatric Associates

Weight loss is a complex, individual journey. At Bariatric Associates, we understand this intricacy and tailor our approach to fit each patient’s unique needs and circumstances. Our team is committed to helping you find the right combination of treatments to reach your health goals.

The combined approach of sleeve gastrectomy and weight loss medications offers comprehensive, personalized care. It goes beyond merely treating obesity – we aim to help our patients embrace a healthier lifestyle, improve their quality of life, and sustain their weight loss over the long term. If you are ready to start your weight loss journey, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to explore the possibilities towards a healthier future.

Footnotes

  1. Mayo Clinic. (2020). Gastric sleeve surgery: Who is it for? https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sleeve-gastrectomy/about/pac-20385183 ↩
  2. Gagner, M., & Hutchinson, C. (2016). Sleeve Gastrectomy and Type 2 Diabetes. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 40(5), 398–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2016.05.015 ↩
  3. MacLean, P. S., Bergouignan, A., Cornier, M. A., & Jackman, M. R. (2011). Biology’s response to dieting: the impetus for weight regain. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 301(3), R581-R600. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00755.2010 ↩
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First since 2014.” FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management – First in 2014
  5. Astrup, A., Carraro, R., Finer, N., Harper, A., Kunesova, M., Lean, M. E., & Van Gaal, L. (2012). Safety, tolerability and sustained weight loss over 2 years with the once-daily human GLP-1 analog, liraglutide. International journal of obesity, 36(6), 843–854. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2011.158 ↩
  6. Rubino, F., Nathan, D. M., Eckel, R. H., Schauer, P. R., Alberti, K. G., Zimmet, P. Z., … & Dixon, J. B. (2016). Metabolic surgery in the treatment algorithm for type 2 diabetes: a joint statement by international diabetes organizations. Diabetes care, 39(6), 861-877. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-0236 ↩