Have you heard about the

A-SLEEVE?

The A-Sleeve

Our goal is to make Sleeve Gastrectomy:

'A' stands for Ambulatory.

Definition: A process based on scientific techniques which allow for a discharge within 23 hours or an overnight stay after surgery.

What is the A-Sleeve?

The A-Sleeve or Ambulatory Sleeve surgery is referred to by other names, commonly called Day Procedure surgery, Outpatient surgery or same-day surgery. It is not a new concept however, it has been used mostly in the context of endoscopies, cataracts and tonsil surgery.

Can ambulatory surgery be done for weight loss procedures?

When it comes to Bariatric or weight loss surgery, ambulatory surgery is a relatively new concept. Ambulatory gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures have been performed mostly in the United States with main drivers being quicker recovery and reduced costs to the patients. There are selection criteria and not all patients will be discharged within 23 hours. Some may need an overnight stay at least.

So, what's new about the A-Sleeve with Body Genesis Institute?

Our main surgeon and Director, Dr Arun Dhir, has been performing Gastric Sleeve surgery for over 15 years. He performed the first sleeve gastrectomy procedure at the Monash Medical Centre. Dr Arun has developed an innovative technique that allows individuals to be a lot more comfortable than after a conventional lap sleeve gastrectomy operation.* Besides this the technique requires reduced use of disposable equipment which not only reduces the costs but also reduces medical waste which has a detrimental impact on the environment, making it more sustainable for the planet.

Watch this brief video where Dr. Arun explains this techinque further

What are the specific advantages of A-Sleeve?

There are many advantages of the A-sleeve most of which are centred around patient care, safety, comfort and cost savings.

Safety

For average risk patients, studies indicate that gastric sleeve surgery can be performed with a very high level of safety.

Reduced risk of infections

A reduced hospital stay allows patients to reduce their risk of catching hospital acquired infections as the hospitals can be home to various infections.

Ability to recover in your home setting

Early discharge allows patients to recover in their home setting which is more comfortable for most individuals. The availability of remote monitoring and nurse on call allows you to still have support and access to medical advice should the need arise.

Cost savings

The A-Sleeve offers a win-win situation for the hospital and the patients. Due to the specific technique developed by Dr Arun, the hospitals can benefit from reduced use of disposable items used during surgery. The reduction of material and human resources provides benefits for the patients by way of cost savings. A 23 hour or overnight stay reduces your costs of hospital expenses and these savings can be quite significant if you are self-funding.

Streamlined care

The A-Sleeve offers protocol-driven nursing care which makes patient care more streamlined and efficient. This definitely takes into account that no two patients are always alike and your recovery may vary based on your pain and nausea threshold and the ability of the medications to assist with these.

Personalised service

As mentioned above while every effort is made to keep the intention behind the A-Sleeve in mind, it is also acknowledged that no two patients are alike. This is where a personalised approach to your care and recovery can be tailored based on your progress after surgery.

Check out what our patients are saying about the A-Sleeve?

Are there any risks?

Every individual has got their own risk profile. Your surgeon will be the best person to ascertain your suitability for the A-Sleeve.

Generally speaking, the following individuals are NOT considered suitable for the A-Sleeve:

Individuals who have had previous abdominal or weight loss surgery
Individuals who have sleep apnoea, poorly controlled diabetes
Previous history of heart problems
Any other concerns from your surgeon or anaesthetist

Am I an eligible candidate for the A-Sleeve?

Most individuals with a BMI under 50 would be considered suitable candidates for the A-sleeve. The decision about your eligibility for this procedure will ultimately be decided by our surgeons who will discuss it with you.

How do I prepare for the A-Sleeve?

The best way to prepare yourself is to firstly inform yourself about the surgical procedure and get all your questions answered. It is important to do the preoperative low-calorie diet to the best of your abilities such that it shrinks the liver adequately to facilitate the A sleeve procedure.

Where is the A-Sleeve performed?

The procedure is performed in two of our major hospitals that have all resources, along with a fully functional ICU should there be a need for any unexpected outcome.