Gastric sleeve is a bariatric surgery also known as sleeve gastrectomy. It involves the removal of a portion of the stomach. It is a safe and popular option for people looking to make significant changes to their body mass. While this surgery can offer life-changing benefits, one should understand its effects before opting for the procedure. From short-term discomfort to long-term changes in eating habits, one should know what to expect following the surgery.

Diarrhea
A common side effect of gastric sleeve bariatric surgery is diarrhea or loose stools. This could be attributed to the intake of liquid food for a while after the surgery. However, once the patients move to solid foods, diarrhea can go away on its own.

Back pain
Excessive body mass is known to strain the back muscles. While a gastric sleeve is a bariatric surgery that helps reduce this strain, the muscles continue to hold on to the tension state for a while after the procedure. The tension remains till the spine does not realign to the new body structure. Back pain can also result from the loss of adipose tissue that cushions the spine.

Nausea and vomiting
Nausea is a common after-effect of most surgical procedures. However, for gastric sleeve surgery patients, nausea can also develop if they eat too much, too fast, don’t chew enough, or have fluids and food together. Breaking these habits and eating slowly can help reduce nausea and subsequent discomfort. If nausea progresses to vomiting, it is advisable to return to a fluid-only eating pattern for a little while till the stomach has adjusted to solids.

Bad breath
Bad breath is not as common as some of the other after-effects on the list. It is a rare side effect that can be a result of post-surgery dehydration owing to reduced fluid intake. For some, bad breath can result from the stasis of food. Acid regurgitation can develop because of the inability of food to move from the stomach to the intestine, resulting in bad breath.

Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is generally considered a sign of complications in those that have undergone a laparoscopic procedure. Gastric sleeve surgery is a laparoscopic procedure that involves multiple small incision sites. Pain at these sites is a common side effect once the prescriptions start wearing off. If the severity of the pain does not reduce for more than 3 days despite using painkillers, it might be an indication of an abscess, gastric sleeve leak, or an infection. 

Hair loss
People that have undergone a rapid reduction in body mass are prone to facing more than the normal amount of hair loss. This can speedily result in hair thinning. However, it is an after-effect that can be managed with a healthy lifestyle and taking doctor-approved supplements. Over time, those who have undergone gastric sleeve bariatric surgery can observe a decline in hair fall and thinning.