Are you obese and it is affecting your health? Have you tried to lose weight with diet and exercise but just can't shed those unwanted pounds? If you have answered yes to both of these questions, you may want to consider weight-loss surgery. When thinking about your weight-loss surgery options, you need to know that there are different types of procedures. Each procedure has its own pros and cons. One such type of weight-loss procedure is called gastric sleeve surgery.

If you want to know more, here are the answers to three frequently asked questions about gastric sleeve surgery.

1. Who Are Good Candidates For Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Usually, gastric sleeve surgery is only performed on those who are morbidly obese. According to the CDC, those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more are considered severely obese. You need to know your height and weight in order to figure out your BMI. Once you have that information, you can plug the numbers into an adult BMI calculator.

Good candidates for gastric sleeve surgery should not have any underlying medical conditions that make it dangerous to perform surgery. Candidates may also need to undergo a psychological evaluation to ensure they will be able to handle the lifestyle changes that usually accompany weight-loss surgery. 

2. What Happens During Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic procedure, which means a surgeon performs it by placing surgical instruments through small incisions in the abdomen. During the procedure, a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving behind a sleeve-like structure that is about the same size as a banana.

When the stomach is smaller, it limits the amount of food you consume, which greatly reduces your calorie intake. After the surgery, patients should avoid sugar and carbonated beverages. Eventually, they can graduate to pureed foods and then regular foods.

3. How Much Weight Do People Lose After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

The average amount of weight people lose after gastric sleeve surgery is about 60 percent of their excess weight. This number is not set in stone, however, and you may lose more or less than this. The amount you lose depends on a number of factors, which include:

• Diet
• Activity levels
• Lifestyle
• Ability to change old habits
• Size of the gastric sleeve

If you're successful in quickly losing a lot of weight after surgery, be prepared for the fact you might have body aches, feel tired, experience mood changes, lose your hair, and have dry skin. These are all normal symptoms associated with weight loss following gastric sleeve surgery.

If you have more questions, contact a company like Davtyan Medical Weight Loss.