Like with any medical procedure, recuperation is a top concern for people. This covers the time needed for recovery after the actual incision. In this piece, we’ll look at a few different options for gastric sleeve incisions, but first, let’s speak about the process itself.
The stomach is partially removed during a gastric sleeve procedure, also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, leaving only a little pouch, or “sleeve,” as the stomach’s organ remains. It has been demonstrated that this bariatric procedure to reduce the stomach is safe and beneficial for long-term weight loss and maintenance.
Gastric Sleeve Incision Types
The three types of gastric sleeve incisions are open, laparoscopic, and single incision laparoscopic. The traditional laparoscopic procedure is the one that is most usually utilized, albeit each of these has a specific function. Let’s look more closely at each type of gastric sleeve incision.
Open Incision
An open incision is used during the typical gastric sleeve treatment. A cut is made along the midline of the abdomen to provide the surgeon access to the stomach and other organs. Because the surgeon can more easily acquire access to perform the actual surgery, this is a fairly simple method.
The open gastric sleeve incision technique is widely used as a fallback during laparoscopic surgery when additional intervention is required. The incision may be modified to an open one during these procedures to provide the physician more access.
Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Incision
Five to six tiny incisions across the abdomen, each measuring between five and fifteen millimeters in length, are created during the laparoscopic gastric sleeve treatment. Through these tiny incisions, the surgeon will be able to insert instruments and a camera into the belly to do the treatment.
Because the incisions are very small, the surgery is much less invasive. This leads to more advantages to this approach compared to the open gastric sleeve incision including:
- Less likely to require reoperation
- Fewer postsurgical complications
- Fewer days spent in the hospital
- Fewer wound complications
- Lower morbidity and mortality rate
Laparoscopic gastric sleeve incisions are the most common surgical procedure due to their many benefits.
Single Incision Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Incision
The surgeon performs the entire treatment utilizing a laparoscopic method during a single incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SILSG), as the name suggests, but only through one extremely small incision as opposed to five.
The surgical procedures seem to yield results fairly similar to the conventional laparoscopic method. The time required for surgery and hospitalization are essentially the same. It goes without saying that fewer incisions result in fewer scars, and some patients prefer this for aesthetic reasons. In contrast to conventional laparoscopic gastric sleeve procedures, the SILSG has a higher risk of gastric sleeve incision hernia.
Gastric Sleeve Incision Healing and Care
The incision site needs special attention, as with all surgical procedures. Avoiding infections at the gastric sleeve incision site is the main goal after surgery. Different methods for lowering the risk of infection may be used depending on the type of incision. The following are a few of the universally accepted principles:
- Preventative antibiotics
- Ensuring blood sugar is well controlled
Other factors that can help reduce gastric sleeve infection risk by the surgery team include:
- Well cleaned and prepped incision site prior to surgery
- Keeping the operating time as short as possible
- Choosing the laparoscopic approach when possible
Your incision has the best chance of healing without issues if you keep your home tidy after being released from the hospital and adhere to the gastric sleeve incision care guidelines.
What About Scars?
Many people want to minimize scars despite the fact that laparoscopic surgery necessitates very small incisions. In order to minimize the visibility of scars, it’s crucial to carefully adhere to your surgeon’s aftercare instructions. Typical guidelines include:
- Keeping the area clean
- Keeping the incision dry
- Avoid touching or picking at the incision site
- Once cleared by the doctor, use a moisturizer or scar minimizing product
- Avoid sun exposure as this will worsen the appearance of scars
Which Gastric Sleeve Incision Option is Best?
What if you could quickly and easily determine which type of incision is ideal for you? Everyone is unique, so adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy isn’t in your best interests. Several things to think about;
- Consult your surgeon. Learn about their approach and the reasons why they favor one surgical option over another. You will probably have confidence in your surgeon’s method and rationale if you feel at ease around them.
- Recognize your body. You should discuss any concerns you have with your doctor regarding your body’s healing procedures or your preferences for a gastric sleeve incision.
You are your own best advocate, which is among the most crucial things to keep in mind. You want to be able to enter surgery with assurance over the operation. Refrain from feeling embarrassed when you ask inquiries.
