Information On Lap-band And Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Timothy Brown


Bariatric weight loss surgery is a procedure that has continue to grow steadily in recent times in New York. There are three main types of bariatric surgeries that are performed. These include gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. While some differences exist among these procedures, the manner in which they work is similar. Lap-band and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy have the best outcomes hence are the most commonly performed.

When one is trying to lose weight, they need to first consider the conservative methods. Such will include for instance modifying the diet and making it healthier. The intake of carbohydrates and fats should be reduced and that of fruits and vegetables increased. You need to exercise regularly to help burn excess fats and prevent unnecessary weight gain. These options need to be tried out for at least 6 months before being considered ineffective.

To choose between banding and gastrectomy, one has to fully understand the benefits and risks associated with each of them. One of the major similarities is that both of them can be effectively performed using the open technique or laparoscopy. The major difference is that in gastrectomy the stomach has to be cut surgically while no cutting is involved in banding. For this reason banding is reversible while gastrectomy is not.

During the open procedure, a large incision running from the epigastric area to the pubic region is made. The surgeon can visualize the stomach through this incision and place the band directly. When the laparoscopic option is used, on the other hand, very small incisions are created in the anterior abdominal region. These incisions (also known as ports) are used for the entry of instruments.

Gastrectomy is simply the cutting and removal of a segment of a stomach. In a single operation, between 75 and 80% is usually removed. What is left behind is a small pouch that takes the shape of a sleeve (thus the name of the operation). The laparoscopic method is preferred over the open technique. Once the required part has been cut off, the rest is stitched back using sutures or stitches.

These surgeries are associated with various complications. These include blood loss, internal organ injury, nausea, vomiting and infections in the postoperative period. Loss of stitches or staples using in closing the stomach has also been reported in rare cases. Whenever the staples or stitches are displaced, there is a huge risk of acid leakage and subsequent chemical injury to organs (peritonitis).

A reduction in the stomach capacity results in a reduction in the amount of food intake. Related to this is the fact that there is early satiety and suppression of appetite. Removing part of the stomach significantly reduces the surface area that is available for absorption of nutrients. All these changes cause weight loss that begins to be seen within weeks or months.

Bariatric operations can be performed in a wide range of patients. However, there are conditions that may make the procedures risky in some of them. Systemic conditions such as hyperthyroidism and uncontrolled diabetes may require that some form of intervention takes place first before the procedure takes place. The same case applies to conditions that are restricted to the gastrointestinal system such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and peptic ulcer disease.




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