The program begins even before your surgery. Our dietitian offers counseling sessions, and our psychologist offers private psychological counseling sessions to talk about life after weight loss surgery.
At the Khalili Center, we offer gastric sleeve surgery to help you lose weight and experience an improved life. We also provide a unique care support program to help you recover from the surgery and achieve and maintain a healthier weight.
How to Choose the Right Gastric Sleeve Surgeons in Los Angeles?
When choosing the surgeon to perform your gastric sleeve surgery, consider the surgeon’s experience, credentials, and specialties.
Theodore Khalili, MD, FACS, the founder and director of the Khalili Center, has performed the first robotic-assisted surgery in 2002.
Surgeons at the Khalili Center are authorities on various surgical techniques, including general surgery, robotics, minimally-invasive surgery, and bariatric surgery.
Some of our surgeons shared medical insights at news outlets like Good Morning America and the Los Angeles Times.
Read more about the Khalili Center’s doctors here and discover why they are the best choice for a successful gastric sleeve surgery.
Watch the video
My name is Dr. Theodore Khalili, surgeon and founder of Weight Loss Surgery of Southern California. I founded the Center because I have dedicated my life-long professional work to patient care. My approach to patient-centric partnerships and service-oriented facilities offer a comprehensive and holistic approach to bariatric treatment – all in one place.
I believe that patient care does not end right after surgery – it’s only the beginning. I founded the Center to give patients access to a supportive community that guides them through each step of the weight loss journey. We work with a team of registered dieticians, psychologists and general doctors to create tailored, best-in-class care available.
I have performed over 8,000 bariatric surgeries…
Read more
Dr. Theodore M. Khalili,
Founder and Director
Khalili Center for Bariatric Care
Scroll
When to Have Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Weight loss surgeons can recommend laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) to you if you have a body mass index (BMI) of over 35, if you are 100 pounds overweight, or if you cannot achieve a healthy weight even with weight loss efforts.
Surgeons prescribe the procedure if you have obesity-related conditions, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.
You can also undergo sleeve gastrectomy if you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), gastrointestinal disorders, osteoarthritis, lipid abnormalities, or heart disease.
How Does Gastric Sleeve Surgery Work?
During the operation, the bariatric surgeon creates a sleeve-like stomach by removing a large portion of the organ. The new stomach (the sleeve), which is attached to the intestines, will hold the food. This procedure only reduces the stomach’s volume and doesn’t change any of the stomach functions.
The surgery is expected to make you lose excess weight because a large portion of the stomach, which has been removed, contains a hunger hormone called ghrelin.
By reducing the size of the stomach, your eating habits will change and your desire to eat will be significantly reduced.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a bariatric surgery that removes 75% to 80% percent of the stomach to induce weight loss. It is the most common bariatric procedure in the United States and worldwide(2).
The procedure is also called bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) or duodenal switch. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy will provide you with an effective way to maintain a healthier weight. Gastric sleeve surgery is ideal for those with specific medical conditions that prevent them from having gastric bypass surgery.
Some people may be too heavy for gastric bypass surgery, so a gastric sleeve surgery is a good alternative. You can lose up to 60% to 70% of your weight within a year after a gastric sleeve surgery. Gastric sleeve surgery can also improve the health conditions of obese patients, like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, and joint pain(3).
Preparing for Gastric Sleeve Surgery
After completing a series of assessments and examinations, a nurse will inform you of the consultations you will need before the surgery. Before the surgery, you will receive a list of medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements you can take. Your surgeon will also restrict food, drinks, and medications before the procedure.
Inform your doctor beforehand if you are taking blood-thinning medications. These medications affect clotting and bleeding, which can negatively impact the outcome of the operation. If you have diabetes, consult your physician for specific instructions on medication adjustments.
Surgeons can also advise you to begin a physical activity program before the procedure. If you are a smoker, you will also have to stop smoking 12 weeks before the surgery.
The Khalili Center’s Unique Care Support Program
Based in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California (CA), we offer a unique care support program designed to address your specific needs. We will encourage you to participate in special year-long events to keep yourself active. You can also join a support group before and after your surgery.
During support group sessions, you can talk to other weight loss surgery patients and inspire others like you. You can take walks with your doctors, play softball, and go swimming. The program also includes holiday-themed activities. The Khalili Center offers the support program because we believe that aftercare is just as important as the actual surgery.
What to Expect
Before the Procedure
Before you are wheeled into the operating room, you have to answer questions from both nurses and doctors.
Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a general anesthetic before your surgery. Anesthesia will keep you asleep and comfortable during the sleeve gastrectomy.
During the Procedure
During the operation, the surgeon uses a laparoscope to check the surgical site. The surgeon will insert surgical tools through small incisions in the abdomen and create a sleeve-like portion in your stomach to induce weight loss.
The procedure typically takes one to two hours. You will be taken to a recovery area after the operation for monitoring.
After the Procedure
Recovery time can take one to two days. You have to follow a clear liquid, gastric sleeve diet for the first two weeks after the procedure. After three weeks, you can move on from a liquid diet to pureed foods or soft foods like protein shakes. You can switch back to solid foods four weeks after the procedure.
You may experience regurgitation, nausea, acid reflux, constipation, or diarrhea after the procedure. While these are normal, you must inform your physician if they occur. Your surgeon can prescribe medication to help you manage post-op discomfort. You can perform non-strenuous activities a week after the procedure.
Recovering From Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Your surgeon will prescribe multivitamins to be taken twice a day and calcium supplements once a day. You will also need a vitamin B-12 injection once a month for life. At the first stage of your recovery from surgery, the Khalili Center will follow up frequently to monitor your body’s response to the procedure.
Surgeons will also request more lab tests, bloodwork, and other exams for you as needed. The surgery can have immediate side effects on you, mentally and physically. The changes are part of your body’s reaction to the rapid body weight loss.
The changes can take place in the first three to six months after the procedure. The following are some of the changes you can experience after the surgery:
- Body aches
- Feeling cold
- Feeling tired
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Mood changes(4)
FAQs
What are the risks of gastric sleeve surgery?
As with other surgical procedures, sleeve gastrectomy also poses potential risks. You can develop an infection, blood clot, and breathing problems.
You can also experience excessive bleeding and staple line leaks from the stomach edge because of the procedure.
Other long term risks of gastric sleeve surgery include the following:
- Gastrointestinal obstruction
- Hernias
- Heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Malnutrition
- Hypoglycemia
- Vomiting
- Death (rare)(7)
Will Medicare cover my gastric sleeve surgery?
The Khalili Center offers free insurance verification to help you know if your insurance will cover our bariatric procedures. You can also contact your insurance company to know the specific surgeries your insurance plan covers.
How can I book an appointment with The Khalili Center?
You can book an appointment by calling or by visiting us at 9033 Wilshire Blvd. #200 Beverly Hills, California. However, due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a visit to the center can be difficult.
If you can’t visit the center, you can pay a virtual visit online on our website instead. The Khalili Center offers consultation.
References
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
- The University of California, Los Angeles. Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve). Retrieved from http://surgery.ucla.edu/bariatrics-gastric-sleeve#:~:text=The%20Gastric%20Sleeve%20Surgery%20
- Ibid
- Mayo Clinic. Sleeve Gastrectomy. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sleeve-gastrectomy/about/pac-20385183
- Mayo Clinic. Gastric Bypass. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/gastric-bypass-surgery/art-20046318#:~:text=Newer%20studies%20have%20found%20gastric,serious%20obesity%2Drelated%20health%20problems.
- LifeBridge Health. Who Are Adjustable Gastric Band Candidates? Retrieved from http://www.lifebridgehealth.org/WeightLoss/WhoAreAdjustableGastricBandCandidates.aspx
- Mayo Clinic. Bariatric Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/about/pac-20394258
The Best Weight Loss Surgery, Lap Band (Band Over) Bypass Procedure and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgeons
in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California (CA) - Khalili Center
Your Journey to Overcoming Obesity Starts Here.
Weight loss surgery is a tool to reset your life.
Our comprehensive program is everything you need to set you up for your new life and to keep the weight off. All you have to to find out if we’re right for you is to book an appointment.