Basics Relating To Gastric Banding And Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Martha Foster


Lifestyle changes are highly recommend as ways of losing weight and remaining healthy. Unfortunately, these two are not effective in everyone and there is often a need for other options. Surgical weight loss procedures such as gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy have increased in popularity in New York in recent years due to their effectiveness and safety profile. The two are types of bariatric surgery.

The two types of procedures are restrictive surgeries. This means that they reduce the size of the stomach which effectively reduces the amount of food that it can hold. Persons who have had the procedures begin to have early satiety which reduces their food intake. Over time, they begin to lose weight since most of the food that is eaten is used to provide energy and very little, if any, is stored as fat.

Gastric banding is achieved by use of a silicon band using laparascopic approach. When the band is slipped onto the upper part of the stomach (the fundus), it squeezes it to leave just a small outlet. The estimated capacity of this pouch is one ounce of food. Laparascopic procedures, use small entry points (ports) that result in smaller scars later on. This is in contrast to open surgeries in which large incisions have to be made.

The band is connected through a plastic tubing to an area just below the skin. The surgeon (or patient) can exert control on the pressure created by the band. When saline is injected through the tube, the pressure is increased which decreases the volume of the stomach further. This may be needed if the desired effects are not being seen. Drawing the saline achieves the reverse effect which is a reduction in the squeeze and an increase in the stomach volume.

The results of this operation vary from one individual to another. The procedure is safe for the most part but there are some possible side effects that you need to be aware of. Those that are experienced commonly include vomiting, nausea, minor bleeding and wound infection. Small adjustments to the tightness of the band usually control the nausea and vomiting.

Sleeve gastrectomy (or gastric sleeve) refers to the surgical removal of a part of the stomach. This may be as much as 80%. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch which closely resembles a banana. This method helps reduce weight in two ways: reduced capacity of the stomach and faster movement of food (hence less absorption). The shape is also believed to influence gastric hormone production such that one feels less hungry.

Sleeve gastrectomy has been approved for use in children and adolescents. Studies show that it has no negative effects on the growth of children. Possible complications of this procedure include leakage of food, nausea, aversion to food, infections and esophageal spasms. Over time, the stomach may dilate but not significantly. It is important to remember that unlike the banding procedure, the sleeve procedure is irreversible.

The two bariatric operations are usually done as day cases. You can home on the same day that you are operated. One can resume their daily routine within 24 to 48 hours. The general advice is that one remains on light diet consisting of mashed up foods and liquids for at least two weeks. Soft foods and the regular diet follow thereafter.




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