GASTRIC INJECTIONS

What is Gastric Injections?

Gastric injections represent a minimally invasive approach in the realm of appetite management. By administering botulinum toxin directly into the stomach lining, this procedure achieves a temporary paralysis of stomach muscles. This temporary paralysis serves to diminish hunger pangs and instigate a sensation of fullness sooner during meals, aiding individuals in managing their food intake.

Despite its effectiveness, it's crucial to note that the benefits of gastric injections are transient, typically lasting only a few months. This temporal nature necessitates periodic re-administration to maintain the desired effects. While offering a nonsurgical alternative for appetite control, patients considering this procedure should be aware of its temporary nature and the need for ongoing maintenance for sustained results.

How does it Work?

The gastric injection procedure involves the targeted administration of botulinum toxin directly into the stomach lining. Botulinum toxin, commonly known for its cosmetic applications such as reducing wrinkles, functions by temporarily blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for signaling muscle contraction.

When injected into the stomach lining, botulinum toxin inhibits the activity of the muscles in that area, leading to a temporary paralysis of the stomach muscles. This paralysis reduces the contractions of the stomach, which in turn slows down the rate at which food moves through the digestive system. As a result, individuals experience a decreased sensation of hunger and an increased feeling of fullness, leading to reduced food intake during meals.

The temporary paralysis induced by the botulinum toxin typically lasts for several months before gradually wearing off. This necessitates periodic re-administration of the injections to maintain the desired effects.

Overall, the procedure works by temporarily altering the functioning of the stomach muscles to promote early satiety and diminish hunger, offering a nonsurgical approach to appetite management.

B
How is it done How does it work

Anesthesia Administration: The patient is typically given local anesthesia to numb the area where the injections will be administered, ensuring minimal discomfort during the procedure.

Injection Site Preparation: The healthcare provider cleans and sterilizes the injection site on the stomach lining to minimize the risk of infection

Botulinum Toxin Injection: Using a thin needle, the healthcare provider precisely injects botulinum toxin into specific areas of the stomach lining
The dosage and injection sites are determined based on the patient's individual needs and the desired effect.

Monitoring: Throughout the procedure, the patient's vital signs may be monitored to ensure safety and detect any adverse reactions

A
Pre Procedure

Consultation: Patients undergo a consultation with a healthcare provider to discuss their medical history, current health status, and suitability for the gastric injection procedure.
During this consultation, potential risks, benefits, and expectations of the procedure are also reviewed.

Assessment: Healthcare providers may conduct various assessments such as physical examinations, blood tests, and possibly imaging studies to evaluate the patient's overall health and suitability for the procedure.

Preparatory Instructions: Patients receive specific instructions regarding pre procedure preparations, which may include dietary restrictions or modifications, fasting requirements, and discontinuation of certain medications, particularly blood thinners, to minimize the risk of complications during the procedure

C
Post Procedure

Recovery Period: After the procedure, patients are monitored in a recovery area to ensure they are stable and not experiencing any immediate complications

Discharge Instructions: Patients receive detailed post procedure instructions, including information on dietary restrictions, activity limitations, and any medications to be taken
They are advised to follow a liquid or soft diet initially, gradually progressing to solid foods as tolerated.

Follow Up Appointments: Patients schedule follow-up appointments with their healthcare provider to monitor their progress, assess the effectiveness of the injections, and determine the need for any additional treatments or adjustments

Long Term Management:

Since the effects of gastric injections are temporary, patients may need periodic re-administration of the injections to maintain the desired appetite control and weight management outcomes.
Healthcare providers work closely with patients to develop long-term strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise recommendations

The process to get you started on your weight loss journey

Non - Surgical Approaches

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall well-being.

While weight loss journeys vary from person to person, there are numerous safe and effective methods available, both surgical and nonsurgical.

Here, we explore different approaches to healthy weight loss.

Surgical Weight Loss

Gastric Sleeve

Gastric sleeve surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy, is a widely favoured, minimally invasive weight loss solution. Removing a significant part of the stomach forms a smaller, banana-shaped stomach, curbing food intake, aiding weight loss, and enhancing health in cases of moderate to severe obesity.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass, a proven weight loss approach, forms a small stomach pouch and redirects the small intestine. While more invasive than the gastric sleeve, it effectively induces weight loss and improves health conditions, demanding rigorous post-surgery dietary adherence for optimal outcomes.

Mini Gastric Bypass

The mini gastric bypass streamlines the traditional process, establishing a smaller stomach pouch directly linked to the small intestine. Balancing effectiveness and invasiveness, it delivers substantial weight loss and health benefits, demanding lifelong dietary adherence for success, making it a preferred choice.

Duodenal Switch

The duodenal switch, a preferred weight loss surgery for severe obesity, involves stomach reduction and small intestine rearrangement to limit calorie absorption, leading to significant weight loss. Despite its effectiveness, careful dietary management is crucial, making it suitable for those unsuccessful with other treatments.

FAQs

Obesity surgeries are evaluated based on body mass index, previous surgeries, previous medical history, amount of weight loss desired as well as financial implication – are the variables that help determine this.

It is dependent on an individual’s body mass index (BMI) and the presence of any co-morbidities. You may qualify for surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or greater, or if your BMI is at least 35 with other obesity-related health problems e.g. diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

Usually 1-4 days of stay in the hospital. Problems that may occur during the preoperative evaluation and postoperative recovery period may determine this period.

Communication with your team and following your doctor’s instructions can prevent majority of the complications. Some include – dumping syndrome, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies but can be avoided if the correct diet is followed and supplements.

We will transition you from liquid diet to solid diet gradually. High carb, sugary fluids and generally junk meals are to be reduced or completely avoided for better results, minimal side effects and sustainability of weight loss

After leaving the hospital, heavy activities should be reduced. The patient should not lift heavy loads for about 6 weeks.