Facts On Lap-band And Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Catherine Howard


The number of weight loss surgical procedures being done in New York has continued to increase tremendously. Part of the reason for this is the fact that the techniques that are employed have been greatly improved and the procedure is now not only safe but also very effective. Lap-band and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are two of the most commonly performed bariatric operations. It is important that one first tries out lifestyle changes before turning to surgery for weight loss.

The two types of surgeries achieve their effect by reducing the size of the stomach. As a result, one is likely to experience early satiety and their food consumption is going to reduce. Most of what is eaten goes to energy provision with very little being stored in adipose tissues as fat. The net effect within subsequent weeks and months is weight loss. The main difference between sleeve gastrectomy and lap band surgery is that lap band surgery is reversible while gastrectomy is not.

Lap band surgery is typically performed laparoscopically. This involves entry into the abdomen through minimal access. Three small incisions (ports) are made in the anterior abdominal wall and used for the insertion of a camera and instruments. A silicon band is fixed to the upper stomach portion so as to cause compression. This converts the entire organ into a small pouch capable of holding just a small amount of food.

The surgery is generally safe but one needs to be aware of the potential complications. Nausea, vomiting, bleeding and aversion to food are among those that are most likely to be seen. To reduce nausea and vomiting, the compression by the band is reduced so that the stomach size increases slightly. This is done by drawing saline from a plastic tube joined to the band.

In sleeve gastrectomy, surgical resection of the stomach helps to reduce it by as much as 80%. The resultant stomach takes the shape of a sleeve (hence the name). Due to the reduction in capacity there will be early satiety and generally a reduction in consumption of food. The other benefit of this transformation is the fact that transit time is greatly reduced and so is the absorption of nutrients.

Generally, surgical weight loss surgery is most beneficial in persons with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40. In case they have weight related complications such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and gastro esophageal reflux disease, a lower BMI may be considered. Bariatric surgeries have been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with these conditions.

There are a number of situations in which bariatric surgery is deemed inappropriate. One such situation is when there is a high risk of complications. Underlying hormonal problems such as hypothyroidism are among the reasons why the procedure may be cancelled or postponed until the problem has been managed. Other examples include gastrointestinal tract diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcers and esophagitis.

This surgeries are usually done as day cases hence once can be discharged from hospital on the day that they are operated. In a few cases, there may be a need for one to be retained for 24 to 48 hours for observation. You will be instructed to take a liquid diet for about two weeks as the wounds heal. This is especially important in the case of gastrectomy.




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