Hands icon

Trusted by 140,000+ people for their vitamin and mineral needs

Hands icon

Trusted by 140,000+ people for their vitamin and mineral needs

Trustpilot score: 4.1 out of 5

Everything you need to know about a Gastric Sleeve

What is a Gastric Sleeve and why do you need extra vitamins afterward? Discover everything you need to know here.

What is a Gastric Sleeve?

A Gastric Sleeve is a procedure in which approximately 85 % of your stomach is removed. The reduced stomach has the shape of a narrow tube or sleeve. Nothing changes in the inflow and outflow of your stomach and there is no rerouting of your intestines.

A Gastric Sleeve is an effective treatment for obesity because you will need to eat less and will feel fuller faster. It helps you get fit quickly.

Who is a suitable Gastric Sleeve recipient?

You have a BMI higher than 30*
BMI above 30
Losing weight with other methods has been unsuccessful
Losing weight did not work out in other ways
Your doctor has determined that a Gastric Sleeve the best solution for you
A Gastric Sleeve is your doctor's advice

Your stomach after your Gastric Sleeve

After the surgery, your stomach has roughly the size and shape of a banana. This allows you to eat only small portions.

After a Gastric Sleeve you will have a smaller stomach
After a Gastric Sleeve you will have a smaller stomach

How does recovery from a Gastric Sleeve proceed?

A Gastric Sleeve is a stomach surgery done under anaesthesia. It requires time to recover. Therefore, getting enough rest after the procedure is very helpful. On average, recovery from a Gastric Sleeve takes 3 to 6 weeks. During this period, it is important to follow the advice of your treating physician.

This timeline is an indication of the recovery after a Gastric Sleeve. How long the recovery takes and how it progresses varies from person to person. Your doctor can tell you more about this.

Surgery
Gastric Sleeve surgery
1 week: you can drive, walk and cycle cautiously again
Be careful with driving, walking and cycling after a Gastric Sleeve
2 weeks: you can eat solid food again
When you can eat solid food again after a Gastric Sleeve
6 weeks: you can lift and exercise cautiously again
When you can carefully lift and exercise again after a Gastric Sleeve

The pros and cons of a Gastric Sleeve

You usually lose 60-70 % of your excess weight, making you feel fitter.

Because no intestinal bypass is created, you do not experience any possible unpleasant consequences.

Problems with your blood sugar decrease or disappear.

Unpleasant consequences of your excess weight decrease or disappear.

Health and quality of life improve, according to 95 % of people with a Gastric Sleeve.**

Because you eat less, you lose weight. But eating less also means that you get fewer vitamins and minerals. Deficiencies can lead to problems.

One year after surgery, ghrelin production can start up again in your body. Because you can experience more hunger again, it is extra important to get used to healthy eating habits at an early stage.

Food intolerances may (temporarily) occur. This usually applies to meat, dairy, bread, and pasta.

The surgery itself does not solve problems of excess weight. Your healthy lifestyle, mindset, and nutrition are just as important for losing weight permanently and feeling good.

No surgery is without risk. This also applies to a Gastric Sleeve.

Why do you need extra vitamins and minerals after a Gastric Sleeve?

With a Gastric Sleeve, you must eat less, which decreases the intake of vitamins and minerals. In addition, your body produces less gastric acid and no intrinsic factor, which means that you absorb fewer vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals are very important to stay healthy and feel good.

In addition, after your stomach reduction, you may not be able to tolerate certain foods temporarily. This applies mainly to:

  • Meat: source of protein, vitamin B12, and iron.
  • Dairy: source of calcium.
  • Bread and pasta: source of fibre.

Why do you need extra vitamins and minerals after a Gastric Sleeve?

With a Gastric Sleeve, you must eat less, which decreases the intake of vitamins and minerals. In addition, your body produces less gastric acid and no intrinsic factor, which means that you absorb fewer vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals are very important to stay healthy and feel good.

In addition, after your stomach reduction, you may not be able to tolerate certain foods temporarily. This applies mainly to:

  • Meat: source of protein, vitamin B12, and iron.
  • Dairy: source of calcium.
  • Bread and pasta: source of fibre.

What happens if you don't get enough vitamins and minerals?

When you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, you won’t notice this immediately. These signals are usually not always recognizable. You are, for example, more tired or sleep worse. You can also experience hair loss. With a Gastric Sleeve, you choose a healthier, fitter life. Now and later. With a multivitamin, you make it easier for yourself. Prevention is better than cure!

A multivitamin tailored to your Gastric Sleeve

Honestly? A multivitamin is not a miracle that will make you healthy in no time. However, it does help you to address and prevent deficiencies every day, especially when your body gets less food due to the surgery. Through scientific research, we understand which nutrients are important for you after a Gastric Sleeve. We have combined these vitamins and minerals into 1 multivitamin.

  • WLS Optimum: scientifically proven
    Scientifically proven effective
  • WLS Optimum: developed for your surgery
    Tailored to your surgery
  • WLS Optimum: available as a capsule or chewable
    Choose a capsule or chewable tablet
  • WLS Optimum: contributes to a healthy lifestyle
    Make maintaining a healthy lifestyle easier

Here's how we help you find more balance

A Gastric Sleeve has an impact. After all, your body is changing forever. That is why we help you with scientifically based multivitamins, advice, and a listening ear. We make healthy living as easy as possible for you. We deliver your multivitamins to your door when it suits you. This way, you can easily stick to your new healthy habits.

Continuous scientific research
Advantage FitForMe: developed in collaboration with hospitals
Stay healthy the easy way with your Subscription
Advantage FitForMe: a subscription makes it easier to stay healthy
Worldwide free home delivery
Advantage FitForMe: free delivery worldwide
Personal advice from our dietitians
Advantage FitForMe: personal advice from specialized dietitians

FitForMe is here for you

A multivitamin tailored to your surgery contributes daily to a healthy and fit life – not just before and after the procedure, but for life. We are here for you to support you in every brave step of your journey towards balance.

Customer service

”I was always skeptical about using nutritional supplements, but after a medical procedure, it was highly recommended by the specialist. FitForMe has helped to ensure that my values are always good. Furthermore, it is nice that FitForMe always restocks on time. I am glad that I chose them.”

FitForMe Customer
FitForMe Customer

”After my weight loss surgery, I came in contact with FitForMe. They helped me to take the right supplements. I feel great!”

FitForMe customer
FitForMe Customer

Disclaimer

Supplements are an addition to your diet. Choose healthy and varied food and get enough exercise. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Do not use this product unless you have had a Gastric Sleeeve and are 18 years or older. Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? Then you can use WLS Optimum.

* A BMI higher than 30 with accompanying health complaints, or a BMI higher than 35 without accompanying health complaints.

** Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17128540/

Validated