Bariatric Surgeon located in Gulfport, MS & Slidell, LA
If you’ve tried diet and exercise but haven’t been able to shed the pounds and keep them off, a gastric sleeve operation by Dr. Donald Balder might provide the answer. Combined with a few simple lifestyle changes, a gastric sleeve can help you eat less and lose weight, giving you the life you want. Plus, compared to other weight loss surgeons in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, Dr. Balder offers this procedure at the lowest price! Call the Mississippi Institute of Weight Loss Surgery -- located in Gulfport and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Slidell, Louisiana -- to schedule a consultation or make your appointment online.
Gastric Sleeve
What is a gastric sleeve?
A gastric sleeve is a procedure that reduces the size of your stomach.
During a gastric sleeve procedure, Dr. Balder will remove a large portion of your stomach, leaving a thinner, tube-shaped stomach. After the procedure, you will have less room in your stomach, making you feel full much sooner than before.
What can I expect during a gastric sleeve procedure?
Gastric sleeve surgery is an inpatient procedure that requires between three and four days of stay at the hospital. After applying anesthesia, Dr. Balder will:
Create several small incisions along your abdomen to insert the laparoscope, a camera that lets Dr. Balder observe the inside of your stomach.
Cut out three-quarters of your stomach using small surgical tools inserted through your incisions.
Staple the remaining stomach together, creating a “sleeve-like” tube.
The entire operation takes about one hour, but Dr. Balder will keep you under observation for a few days to make sure everything was a success and you’re on the road to a healthy recovery.
Is gastric sleeve recovery painful?
For the first few days following surgery, Dr. Balder provides pain medication to help manage your recovery during your hospital stay. Following discharge, pain can become moderate to severe at the surgical site, particularly during torso movement. This pain should pass within one to two weeks.
Report any instances of fever, vomiting, or pain in areas not associated with the surgical site to Dr. Balder as soon as possible.
When can I return to work following gastric sleeve surgery?
You can expect at least one week of recovery time following your discharge from the hospital, though some patients need up to four weeks before they feel ready to return to work. Depending on your job, you can return to work as soon as you feel well enough following surgery.
When will I see results?
Weight loss is a steady process following the gastric sleeve procedure, and you should see results within a few months. In total, you can expect to lose between 60-70% of your excess body weight within 12-18 months of your surgery, provided you follow Dr. Balder’s instructions following the procedure.
If you want to know more about how a gastric sleeve procedure will help you lose weight, call to schedule an appointment or book your consultation online.
