When diet and exercise are not enough to obtain a healthy weight, surgical intervention may help. Single Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve surgery helps those who have struggled with weight loss achieve their goals by reducing stomach size with minimal surgical risk or scarring. During patient consultations, our bariatric surgery specialists explain Single Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve risks. Contact our Tijuana, BC office to learn more about the single incision laparoscopic sleeve procedure.
What Is the Single Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve Procedure?
The Single Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve (SILS) procedure, also called Single Incision Gastrectomy, is a surgical procedure used to help those who struggle with weight loss to achieve a healthier weight and lifestyle. During SILS, a single incision is made through the navel instead of four to six incisions as needed with traditional gastric sleeve surgery. Through this small incision, the size of the stomach is reduced by about 80 percent.
The Risks of the Single Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve
The SILS procedure carries less risk than traditional gastric sleeve surgery or gastric bypass, largely due to the fact that it requires only one small incision. Dumping syndrome, the condition in which food moves too quickly from the stomach to the bowels, is a common risk of traditional gastric sleeve and bypass surgeries, but far less likely with the SILS procedure. The risk of vitamin deficiencies, also fairly common in traditional gastric sleeve and bypass surgery, is reduced with the SILS procedure. Although the SILS procedure carries less risk than traditional gastric sleeve or bypass surgery, it does carry a rare risk of the following:
- Infection at the incision site
- Vitamin deficiency
- Dumping syndrome
- A second incision may be needed to place a drain to help remove fluid and reduce swelling
- Minor scarring
The Benefits of the Single Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve
The SILS procedure offers many benefits over the traditional gastric sleeve procedure. Because the SILS procedure is less invasive than traditional methods, the risk of complications is reduced and recovery is generally faster. Some of the many benefits of SILS surgery for weight loss include:
- Less painful than traditional gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass
- Incision is small and hidden within the belly button, resulting in fewer, less visible scars than traditional methods
- Less invasive surgery, allowing for a faster recovery
- Less risk of infection, dumping syndrome, vitamin deficiency, or other risks and complications
- Can help those who struggle with weight loss achieve a healthier weight for increased confidence and better health
Candidates for Single Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve Surgery
SILS surgery can help patients that want to improve their health and reduce their weight, but it is not right for everyone. Ideal candidates should have a body mass index of 40 or below and be healthy enough to undergo surgery. In addition, candidates should not have undergone more than two previous abdominal surgeries.
Is Treatment Right for You?
For more information about SILS, or to find out if treatment is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Tijuana Bariatrics.
