Gastric Sleeve Or Gastric Band
Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Band…which is the right weight loss surgery for you? Here we will look at both procedures so you can learn more about each, and decide which one will fit your situation better.
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Gastric Sleeve Gastrectomy
The gastric sleeve procedure entails a permanent removal of the large portion of the stomach in order to make it smaller so that you will feel fuller by just consuming a small portion of your food. It also removes the tissue that is in charge of releasing the hunger hormone, Ghrelin. With the reduced size of the stomach, it will stop you from over eating. With the gastric sleeve the weight loss is fast and the possibility of regaining the lost weight is not a great possibility, unless the patient will eat too much thus forcing the stomach to once again stretch and enlarge.
Should the stomach stretch, you should be aware that the bulk of the portion of the stomach that produces Ghrelin is removed during the gastric procedure. Ghrelin is a natural hormone that encourages hunger, but the downside of the absence of Ghrelin is it lowers the body’s ability to burn fat, and it slows down the metabolism. What that means is you will not have food cravings since the appetite is suppressed given that Ghrelin is not prevailing. And your metabolism will therefore increase after undergoing the gastric sleeve surgery. And you will have a positive combination of desirable changes that will lead to a reliable and fast weight loss.
Gastric Sleeve Or Gastric Band – Gastric Sleeve Advantages
- The stomach is made smaller, so you will feel full after eating a small portion.
- The hormone Ghrelin that induces the craving for food is reduced.
- The metabolism of your body is increased.
The term gastric sleeve comes from the shape of the stomach after the surgery. The bean shape of the stomach is decreased to be more tubular, like the shape of the sleeve. This is because the bottom of the stomach will be cut off and discarded. The procedure will entail a few tiny incisions on the outside of the body and the instruments and cameras will be inserted for a couple of minutes by the doctor to be able to view the inside while the procedure is taking place.
In a lot of circumstances, the gastric sleeve procedure is in general the better alternative to the bariatric surgery, like the lap band. For instance, the patient will not be required to visit the doctor as frequently as required by the lap band procedure.
Gastric Band Surgery
The gastric band is also commonly known as the lap band, and the Adjustable Gastric Banding System. In the gastric band procedure, a special band is placed around the upper part of your stomach (where the esophagus meets the stomach). The band can be tightened to reduce the size of your stomach, thus limiting your food intake, and making you feel full sooner when you are eating.
The band has a port that is placed just underneath the skin near the abdomen. This port will be use by your bariatric surgeon to fill the lap band to different levels with saline solution. Filling the band will result in increasing its size, which will tighten the band and reduce the size of your stomach.
Gastric Sleeve Or Gastric Band – Gastric Band Advantages
- Completely reversible
- Can adjust to increase or decrease the rate of weight loss
- Minimally invasive procedure
Downsides to the Gastric Band
This apparatus will often need servicing since the port can slip, flip or tit to an angle. The band itself can also slip off of the stomach requiring a second corrective procedure. Once the band slips, it can significantly increase the chance of a second or third slip.
The port site is highly vulnerable to infections. In a lot of cases, some patients need to undergo additional procedure known as the ‘port revision surgery’. A lot of patients have experienced amount of fluids exiting their nose while they sleep, thus disturbing their rest. But while there is a downside, there is also a positive side of the procedure – the gastric band procedure can be reversed.
You will need to visit the surgeon many times for band adjustments (commonly called ‘fills’). If you have a busy schedule this may pose a problem.
The gastric band must be removed after 6 months. If you have not achieved the weight you want, you will need to undergo a second surgery to get another band when it is safe for you to do so.
Gastric Sleeve Or Gastric Band – Which One Is For Me?
When choosing between gastric sleeve or gastric band, you should consult with your surgeon who is much aware of your obesity history and be able to discuss with you the best option. One particular solution may be better for your case. This information is to help you get more familiar with both, so when you speak with your doctor, you can go over all the pros and cons. After discussing all the factors involved, you and your surgeon can determine which one solution better for you, gastric sleeve or gastric band.
