Incisionless Gastric Sleeve

Incisionless gastric sleeve cost in Dallas & Fort Worth

Incisionless gastric sleeve also known as endoscopic gastric sleeve is a non-bariatric weight loss procedure.

It is a new method of weight loss procedure that does not involve incisions. There is no incision or cut made on the abdomen of the patient.

It is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that is used on patients that are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above.

The procedure entails the reduction of the stomach size with the use of sutures. The reduction in the size of the stomach leads to a reduction of food intake and absorption of calories in the body.

The reduction in calories absorption leads to weight loss.

This procedure is safer than bariatric gastric sleeve and with shorter recovery time.

Who is the Incisionless gastric sleeve procedure for?

Incisionless gastric sleeve is for patients who have BMIs of 30 and above.

Before undergoing the procedure, you must first go through some series of medical tests and examinations with your doctor. 

Your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your medical history to ascertain if you are an ideal candidate for the procedure.

Generally, to be eligible for the procedure;

• You should be 18 years of age and above
• Your body mass index should be 30 and above.
• You are not an ideal candidate for traditional bariatric surgery.
• You have not done any stomach surgery before.
• You have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• You don’t want incisions or scars on your body.
• You have tried other ways to reduce weight such as exercising and dieting but you have failed to reduce weight. 

What to do before the Incisionless gastric sleeve procedure

Before undergoing the procedure, you first need to consult with your doctor. After your doctor has confirmed that you are a right candidate for the procedure, you will be given instructions on how to prepare before the procedure.

You will be given special diet to follow for some days before the procedure. You may also need to engage in some special programs and physical activities that will get you ready for the procedure.

The night before the procedure, you may not be allowed to eat or drink anything so that your stomach will be a bit empty.

How is the procedure done?

On the day of the procedure, you may need to undergo some tests and medical examinations.

You will be taken to the procedure room and made to lie down on your back. You will be given general anesthesia to make you unconscious all through the procedure so that you don’t feel any pains.

After you are unconscious, the doctor will pass an endoscope through your throat down to your stomach. A tiny camera is attached to the front end of the endoscope. The camera captures the inside of the stomach and displays the video on a monitor or a screen which is connected to the camera. The doctor is able to view the inside of the stomach by looking at the monitor. 

The doctor will then place about 20 sutures inside the stomach through the endoscope. The sutures will then shrink the stomach and reduce the size by almost 75%. The stomach then forms a banana or tube shape.

With about only 25% available stomach size, the food you are able to eat is very much reduced. The stomach can only occupy a very little amount of food. 

By eating a very little amount of food, the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed into the body is drastically reduced. The reduction of calories being absorbed into your body will then cause you to lose weight. 

The procedure takes about 90 minutes to complete.

The cost of incisionless gastric sleeve Dallas & Fort Worth

The total cost of the procedure is a combination of different fees that need to be paid. Different factors determine the amount you will be charged.

The procedure is a relatively new procedure; hence it might not be covered by insurance. However, it is advisable to ask your insurance company to get accurate information concerning this.

The pricing or cost for the procedure includes the fees for different medical treatments and care given. These include:

• Anesthesia fee – The anesthesia fee is paid for the anesthesia used. You are given general anesthesia which means you will need to pay a higher amount than local anesthesia. Surgeon fee – The surgeon fee is a major part of the total cost. The amount to be paid depends on the experience of the surgeon, qualifications & certifications, and the location the surgeon is traveling from.
   

If the surgeon is very experienced with a good track record, you will need to pay higher because of the high demand for such surgeon. Surgeons with recognized certifications also charge higher.

• Hospital – The hospital you did the procedure also determines the amount you are going to be charged. If the hospital is located in a place where the cost of living is high, expect to pay more. If the hospital is a well-recognized branded hospital, expect to pay more.
• Follow-up routine appointments – After the procedure, you will need to go through one-year routine check-ups and appointments. You will be monitored and given extra medications if necessary. All these will be charged separately and added to the total cost.
• Routine Dietitian visits – After the procedure, you will also need to undergo routine check-ups with your dietitian. Your dietitian will monitor your diet and food intake. This is charged separately and added to the total cost of the procedure.

The sum total of all these medical care and activities totals the cost of the procedure.

The total cost for the procedure in Dallas and Fort Worth area ranges from $9,000 – $12,000. 

If you are paying by yourself, some hospitals can give you discounts. You can as well pay monthly over a period of time. There are loan offices that give loans to be paid with interest over a specific period of time. Monthly payment makes it easier for you in case you don’t have the financial capacity to make the payment at once. 

Gastric Sleeve Surgery FAQs answered in brief

How do you qualify for gastric sleeve surgery?

• You qualify for gastric sleeve surgery if;
• Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or more
• Your BMI is 35 to 39.9, and you have a weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, severe sleep apnea, or high blood pressure
• You’re between the age of 16 and 70

How much do you have to weigh to get a gastric sleeve?

To get a gastric sleeve, you need to have a body mass index of 40 and above.

You can also get a gastric sleeve if you have a body mass index of between 35 and 40 with serious health conditions such as type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and heart disease.

How long does it take to recover from gastric sleeve?

After gastric sleeve, it usually takes about 2-4 weeks for the incisions to heal and takes about 6-8 weeks for the stomach to heal.

Is the gastric sleeve safe?

Gastric sleeve is considered a safe procedure. It is a relatively safer and less complicated procedure when compared to other bariatric procedures.

Does gastric sleeve shorten lifespan?

Gastric sleeve helps to reduce weight and increases life expectancy for many people. However, gastric sleeve may reduce life expectancy for people who are extremely obese, particularly extremely obese diabetic patients.

How painful is gastric sleeve?

Gastric sleeve involves cutting away a significant part of the stomach, leaving behind a small portion for food intake. You will be given general anesthesia before the start of the procedure to prevent you from experiencing pains during the procedure. When the effect of the anesthesia has worn out, you will begin to experience a significant level of pain. Most patients also experience discomfort in their abdominal wall incisions. You may need pain medications to relieve pain and discomfort.

Can your stomach go back to normal after gastric sleeve?

After gastric surgery, you need to keep a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating healthy diets so that you can lose significant weight and maintain your weight loss. Your stomach can go back to the way it used to be before if you don’t keep to a healthy lifestyle.

What are the cons of gastric sleeve?

The cons of gastric sleeve include:

• Weight loss is quite slow
• It can’t be reversed
• Gastric sleeve can cause acid reflux
• Your body can’t absorb as many vitamins and minerals as before

Why am I so hungry after gastric sleeve surgery?

You may still feel very hungry after gastric sleeve because, even though the stomach is smaller, your brain may still be used to your past eating manner and lifestyle.

Can you drink Diet Coke after gastric sleeve?

You cannot drink coke or any other carbonated beverages for the first month after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. Carbonated drinks can seriously upset your stomach when you drink it too early after gastric sleeve surgery.

Can you not lose weight after gastric sleeve?

Though gastric sleeve helps to reduce excess weight, there are certain instances whereby you may not lose weight. Reasons why you may not lose weight after gastric sleeve include:

1. Not keeping to the recommended diet after surgery

After undergoing gastric sleeve, there are specific diet recommendations to follow. A change in diet is essential to prevent overeating. Your surgeon will tell you the specific post-surgical diets that you should be eating. If you don’t keep to those recommended diets, you will likely not lose weight.

2. Eating foods that contain calories

After gastric sleeve, you must avoid foods that are high in calories. Eat healthy foods that are low in calories or don’t have calories at all. If you keep eating foods that are high in calories, you will likely not lose weight.

3. Drinking soda and carbonated drinks

Avoid drinking soda and carbonated drinks after gastric sleeve. Soda contains high level of sugar which can make weight loss difficult. Carbonated drinks can cause bloating and increase your risk of gastric reflux. You may not lose weight if you keep drinking soda and carbonated drinks.

4. Lack of exercises and physical activities

After gastric surgery, you need to keep exercising and engaging in physical activities. Reducing your food intake alone is not enough to help you lose weight. You still need to exercise regularly. You don’t need to do very strenuous exercises. You can do simple exercises such as walking, jogging, skipping, and other simple exercises.

5. Poor water intake

Drinking more water enhances weight loss. It also supports your quick healing after gastric surgery. Lack of water can limit your weight loss endeavor.

6. Not taking the right dietary supplements

After undergoing gastric sleeve, there are new dietary supplements and vitamins that your surgeon will recommend. All these facilitate your healing and also help increase your weight loss. Not taking the dietary supplements and vitamins can hinder your weight loss endeavor.

How do you drink water after gastric sleeve?

Avoid drinking water as you eat your food. You can drink water 30 minutes before eating and 60 minutes after you have finished eating. Continue to take small sips of water when you feel tasty and even when you don’t feel tasty.

What can you never eat again after gastric bypass?

The foods you can’t eat again after gastric bypass include:

• Foods with empty calories such as cake, cookies, sweets, candy, soft drinks, fruit-flavored sweet beverages and other foods containing added sugar.
• Bread, Rice, and Pasta
• Fried foods
• Fibrous Fruits
• Foods that are high in fats and oils
• Tough meats
• Sugary and highly caffeinated drinks
• Alcohol

Can you ever drink alcohol after gastric sleeve surgery?

After gastric sleeve, it is not advised to drink alcohol again. This is because alcohol can cause intoxication and low blood sugar, which is not good for you. It can also cause carbonation and increase your risk of acid reflux.

Can you drink coffee after gastric sleeve?

You should not drink coffee or any carbonated drinks for at least a month after gastric sleeve. You may be able to drink coffee later on if your surgeon gives you the go-ahead.

What can you not do after gastric sleeve surgery?

• Avoid strenuous exercises and activities
• Avoid lifting heavy objects
• Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
• Avoid all foods and drinks that are not recommended

Why is caffeine bad after gastric sleeve?

Caffeine acts as a stimulant and causes dehydration. It can cause carbonation and increase your risk of bloating and acid reflux.

Can you ever take ibuprofen after gastric sleeve?

You are not allowed to take ibuprofen for at least one month after gastric sleeve. After a month or so, you may start taking it with the direction of your surgeon.

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