Have you been struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise, only to feel frustrated by the lack of results? We get it–it can feel really frustrating. If this is something you’ve been struggling with, gastric sleeve surgery might be your solution. This popular weight loss procedure has helped so many people finally achieve their health goals when nothing else seemed to work.
But how do you know if you meet the requirements?
Let’s break down the requirements of a gastric sleeve to see if you’re eligible.
What is a sleeve gastrectomy?
Chances are you’ve heard of gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy and the ‘Vertical Gastric Sleeve.’ It’s a permanent keyhole procedure where 70-80% of your stomach is removed, and it’s the most common weight loss procedure performed not only in Australia, but worldwide. This means you’ll only need to eat a small amount of food to feel full after eating. You’ll also feel less hungry overall because it also affects those little appetite-controlling hormones.
The result? Significant weight loss and improved overall health.
You can expect to lose a minimum of 60-70% of your excess weight in the first 18-24 months after surgery. This can vary depending on your starting weight, any medical conditions you might have, commitment to your new healthy lifestyle, and other factors, but it gives you a general idea of the huge changes you’ll potentially see.
You’ll see the most success if you’re engaging with your treating team before surgery and committing to the aftercare program.
Medical requirements for gastric sleeve surgery
Before you can get the green light for gastric sleeve surgery, there are a few important medical criteria you need to meet to be considered a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery. Let’s break it down.
BMI criteria
First up is your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is a number calculated from your height and weight, and it helps doctors determine if you’re a good candidate for the surgery.
Typically, you’ll need a BMI of over 40 to qualify. That said, if your BMI is over 35 and you have obesity-related conditions, you might also be eligible. These conditions can make weight loss even more critical for your health, so the surgery could be a necessary step.
This is decided on a case-by-case basis, and your doctor or surgeon can chat with you about this.
Health conditions
Speaking of health conditions, let’s talk about which ones could qualify you for gastric sleeve surgery. If you’re dealing with serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or sleep apnea, you’re not alone. These conditions are common in people who are obese and can have a big impact on quality of life. By losing weight through gastric sleeve surgery, you can often see improvements or even a complete resolution of these conditions.
Previous weight loss attempts
Doctors also want to see that you’ve tried to lose weight through other methods before turning to surgery. This means you’ll need documented evidence of previous weight loss attempts (think diet plans, exercise routines, or other weight-loss programs you’ve tried). This requirement shows your commitment to making a lasting change and makes sure you’re prepared for the necessary lifestyle adjustments you’ll have to make after your surgery.
Psychological requirements
When it comes to gastric sleeve surgery, it’s not just your physical health that’s important–your mental and emotional readiness matters too. Here’s what you need to know about the psychological and behavioural requirements.
Psychological evaluation
A psych evaluation is a key part of figuring out your eligibility. It ensures you’re mentally prepared for the big changes that come with a gastric sleeve procedure. It helps identify any potential psychological issues that might interfere with your ability to stick to post-surgery lifestyle changes and commit to weight loss in the long term.
This is not meant to be an interrogation–it’s crucial to address any of these issues beforehand to set yourself up for success. Your mental health professional will discuss motivations, expectations, and your readiness to adapt to a new way of living. It’s all about making sure you’re in the right headspace to fully benefit from the surgery.
Behavioural changes
Your commitment to long-term behavioural changes is an integral part of your surgery success. This means being ready to make and maintain big lifestyle changes.
After surgery, you’ll need to follow dietary guidelines, starting with liquid foods and gradually moving to solids. Portion control will become a permanent part of your life. Regular physical activity is also a must to help maintain your weight loss and improve overall health.
These changes aren’t temporary–they’re lifelong commitments. Preparing for these adjustments ahead of time ensures you’re ready to embrace a healthier lifestyle post-surgery.
Pre-operative requirements
Once it’s decided that you tick the eligibility requirements, you’ll also need to meet a few preoperative requirements to prepare your body and minimise any potential risks.
Medical tests
You’ll need a series of tests and evaluations to make sure you’re in good health for the procedure. These typically include blood tests to check for any underlying conditions, an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess your heart health, and an endoscopy to check your digestive system.
Pre-surgery diet
In the weeks leading up to your surgery, you’ll be put on a specific pre-surgery diet. This is usually a low-calorie, high-protein diet designed to reduce the size of your liver. Why? A small liver makes the surgery easier and safer to perform.
Following this diet is crucial for reducing surgical risks, but don’t stress–your doctor will give you all the guidelines you need to know what to eat and avoid.
Smoking and alcohol
If you smoke or drink alcohol, the lead-up to your surgery is when you’ll need to quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake. Smoking can interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications, and alcohol impacts your liver function. Again, your healthcare team will give you all the support and resources you need to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Financial considerations
It’s important to consider your finances before deciding on weight loss surgery. A gastric sleeve is often performed in a private hospital, so you need to check with your private health insurance whether you’re covered and what the gap will be. If you have higher levels of cover (top-level or gold), a greater portion of your surgery will generally be covered. You may consider taking out Gold level cover and completing the waiting period. You may also be able to self-fund your surgery following approval by Dr Andrew Kiyingi . We detail all of your options on our gastric sleeve surgery page!
Ready to take that next step?
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery has been a life-changing operation for so many of our patients, with the most common feedback being, ‘I wish I had done this sooner!’
If want to find out if gastric sleeve surgery is right for you, or want to check that you meet the requirements for gastric sleeve surgery, the first step is easy. Just get in touch via phone or email and our team would love to schedule an appointment for you with our leading Specialist Surgeon, Dr Andrew Kiyingi.
It’s never too late to change your life story–take the first step toward a healthier, happier you today.
Feel free to share this infographic using the embed code below:
