Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band

Thinking of having bariatric surgery and comparing the gastric sleeve vs lap band? It’s a very good idea for you to understand the difference between the lap band and gastric sleeve procedures and know what is involved. It is also wise to understand the pros and cons of each type of bariatric surgery so that you can make the decision that is best for you.

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band: About Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The gastric sleeve procedure, also known as a gastrectomy, is a type of weight loss procedure that is typically done to patients who are extremely obese and who want to shed of the extra pounds a.s.a.p. In this technique, the surgeon makes tiny surgical cuts and inserts a laproscopic tube that has camera together with the other instruments into the abdominal cavity, and removes about 80% of your stomach. The remaining stomach tissue forms a sleeve, and it is sealed afterwards using some surgical staples. The remaining stomach is much smaller than its original size, which permanently limits the amount of food that you can eat at any time.

Click here to read more about the Gastric Sleeve.

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band: About Lap Band Surgery

The Lap Band is also referred to as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. It involves implanting an access port, which is fitted just below the skin in the area of the stomach. Then an adjustable band is wrapped around the stomach and attached to the access port with some tubing. Once in place, the band is then filled with saline solution. As the band expands around your stomach, it effectively creates two stomachs, a smaller pouch on top, and a larger pouch on the bottom. The smaller top stomach will serve as the main stomach, which will limit the food intake, since it is smaller than it used to be.

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band: Similarities

In this section we’ll briefly compare the similarities of the gastric sleeve vs lap band.

- They are both restrictive types of bariatric surgery
- Both of these procedures can be done laproscopically, meaning through tiny incisions using specialized instruments.
- The intestines are not affected or altered, unlike other types of weight loss surgery.
- Neither procedure required large incisions. This means much less scarring, which can be a big issue, especially with women.

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band: Differences

In this section we’ll briefly compare the differences of the gastric sleeve vs lap band.

- A Lap Band can be removed so it is not permanent, while the Gastric Sleeve is irreversible.
- A Lap Band requires a foreign object be placed in your body, a Gastric Sleeve does not.
- The cost also varies greatly between the two: Gastrectomy costs around $20,000, and Lap Band Surgery costs around $15,000

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band: Advantages of the Lap Band

- No stapling and no cutting of muscle tissue is needed.
- It can be adjusted.
- Short period of hospitalization at least 24 to 48 hours of hospital stay.
- Can be removed or reversed.

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band: Advantages of the Gastric Sleeve

- Minimally invasive.
- No intestinal bypass.
- No foreign objects implanted in the body.
- No second procedure to remove apparatus is required.

Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band

Both are effective ways to treat obesity, but each has their pros and cons, so let’s compare the gastric sleeve vs lap band a bit further. A gastric sleeve is permanent, while a lap band is not. A lap band is adjustable and a gastric sleeve is not. The gastric sleeve will cost about $5,000 more than a lap band. A lap band must be removed after a certain period of time, which is not the case with the gastric sleeve. If not enough weight has been lost, a second lap band procedure may be performed, but at additional cost.

There are upsides and downside to each, so the best advice would be to speak with your doctor about your condition, and about the gastric sleeve vs lap band. If you have questions it is best to ask and don’t hesitate. Your doctor can give you information that is relevant to your specific situation. It is best to analyze everything side by side. You can only make the choice that is best for you between the two after comparing the Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band.