More and more people are turning to bariatric surgery in order to achieve a more ideal weight. There are may compelling health-related reasons for doing this. When people are obese and morbidly obese, they run a greater risk of experiencing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, sleep apnea, certain kinds of cancers, and so on. Achieving a more ideal BMI (body mass index) greatly reduces the risks of major health problems.
There are two especially popular options for surgical weight loss out there: LAP-BAND surgery and gastric sleeve surgery. We’d like to take a few moments right now to consider how they compare to one another and why one option may be better than the other.
Surgical Weight Loss Methods and How They Work
With regard to surgical weight loss treatment, there are three different approaches:
- Malabsorptive surgery – Malabsorptive weight loss surgery refers to altering the digestive tract so that fewer calories and nutrients are absorbed by the intestines.
- Restrictive surgery – Restrictive weight loss surgery refers to altering the size of the stomach and affecting the Ghrelin hormone (which is responsible for feelings of hunger) so that a patient feel full sooner.
- Combination malabsorptive/restrictive – These surgeries involve combinations of the aforementioned methods above.
Both LAP-BAND surgery and gastric sleeve surgery are restrictive in nature. Let’s look at LAP-BAND surgery first.
About LAP-BAND Surgery
During LAP-BAND surgery, a silicone band is placed around part of the stomach in order to create a smaller stomach pouch. This reduces the amount of food that can be ingested in one sitting while also diminishing feelings of hunger.
The LAP-BAND Surgical Procedure
LAP-BAND surgery is performed laparoscopically, meaning that small incisions are made so that internal cameras and special surgical tools can be used to address the needs of the patient. The band is carefully placed around the upper portion of the stomach. Adjustments to the band are required after the surgery to address the changing needs of the patient.
About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery involves the surgical revision of the stomach size. A portion of the stomach is cut away and removed, leaving a banana-shaped stomach pouch. The extent of the stomach reduction will be determined during the consultation process. As with the LAP-BAND surgery, patients will ingest less food and experience diminished sensations of hunger.
The Gastric Sleeve Surgical Procedure
The gastric sleeve surgery is also performed laparoscopically, allowing the surgeon to make all the necessary incisions and adjustments without the need for open surgery.
How does LAP BAND compare to gastric sleeve surgery?
In general, we feel that the gastric sleeve has a number of benefits over the LAP-BAND. For one, the LAP-BAND surgery can require several adjustments for proper fit, with each band adjustment coming at an additional cost on top of the initial surgery.
There are chances of band complications to consider as well. The band may slip or shift, for example, and it is possible for the band to cut into the stomach tissue. By comparison, complications such as these are not going to happen with gastric sleeve surgery, which also has a higher success rate than LAP-BAND surgery.
Considering All Options
This isn’t to say the the LAP-BAND is a poor surgical option, but merely that the gastric sleeve tends to yield better results for patients. During your visit, we will help you make the best decisions with regard to your surgical weight loss options.
Learn More About Weight Loss Surgery
For more information about LAP-BAND surgery, gastric sleeve surgery, and your many other options for advanced bariatric surgery, be sure to contact our Tijuana weight loss surgery center today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve a more ideal weight through safe surgical care at our full-service hospital.
