Gastric Sleeve After LAP-BAND®: Converting Weight Loss Surgeries
The entire team at our Tijuana bariatric surgery center believe strongly in gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy), a low-maintenance bariatric procedure highly effective in helping people lose weight and keep it off. We feel it's the best option out there even though many patients express interest in LAP-BAND® surgery (gastric banding) and gastric bypass procedures.
Every now and then, patients have second thoughts about their options for surgical weight loss. In such cases, switching from one surgical solution to another may be possible. We'd like to consider the change from LAP-BAND® to gastric sleeve.
About LAP-BAND® Surgery
LAP-BAND® surgery involves the placement of a small silicone band around part of the stomach. This constricts the overall stomach size, making patients feel full sooner and limiting the amount of calories that a patient can consume in a single sitting.
While LAP-BAND® surgery sounds very convenient and simple, there are a number of drawbacks to consider when it comes to gastric banding.
Disadvantages of LAP-BAND® Surgery
Some of the disadvantages of LAP-BAND® surgery include the following:
- Multiple adjustments of the band required after surgery for maintenance
- Potential slippage of the gastric band, requiring adjustment
- Gastric band can cut into the stomach tissue
Do many people get a gastric sleeve following a failed LAP-BAND® procedure?
If you compare the advantages of gastric sleeve over LAP-BAND® surgery, making the switch from one procedure to the other just makes sense. We have performed these kinds of procedures a fair amount in the past, though we generally recommend the gastric sleeve as the ideal weight loss surgery procedure to undergo.
During the consultation process, we will be sure to go over the various surgical options available to improve your weight loss experience.
Advantages of Gastric Sleeve Over LAP-BAND®
There are many ways that gastric sleeve is superior to LAP-BAND® surgery. Some of the advantages of gastric sleeve surgery include the following:
- No need for adjustment surgeries after the initial surgery
- Reduced sensations of hunger since it removes part of stomach responsible for Ghrelin hormone
- A streamlined solution for losing weight and keeping it off
In many ways, the gastric sleeve provides numerous advantages that LAP-BAND® surgery simply cannot provide.
Is the change to gastric sleeve right for me?
While there are significant advantages to making the change, it's not necessarily right for everyone. Some patients may prefer the reversibility of the LAP-BAND® procedure and would rather stick with gastric banding as their weight loss solution. In such cases, these patients may benefit from a better adjustment to their current LAP-BAND® surgery.
If you are interested in switching from LAP-BAND® to a gastric sleeve, we'll be more than happy to go over the process in more detail during a consultation. This will also allow us to determine if you are an ideal candidate for the procedure of if some other bariatric procedure would be more ideal for your needs.
Learn More About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
If you are interested in surgical weight loss options or altering your previous surgery to a more effective one, we encourage you to contact our bariatric surgery center today.
