Important Facts On Gastric Banding And Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Martha Foster


Lifestyle changes are one of the most effective approaches in achieving weight loss. While their effect can be clearly appreciated in a majority of New York residents over time, there is a smaller group of people in whom these lifestyle changes alone cannot achieve the desired results. These people form the bulk of potential candidates for surgical weight loss procedures which include gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy. The two operations are examples of bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgeries are also known as restrictive surgeries. This is because they are designed to reduce the capacity of the stomach which effectively reduces the amount of food that is held at any given point in time. Since, the stomach fills a lot faster than before, there is early satiety and by extension, reduced food intake. The weight loss that is seen in subsequent weeks and months is mainly due to reduced food intake.

As the name suggests, gastric banding involves the use of an elastic band made of silicone. This band is slipped onto the upper portion of the stomach using a laparoscopic approach. In laparascopic surgeries, procedures are conducted through small incisions made in the abdomen as opposed to open procedures where one large incision is needed. The squeeze that is provided by the band on converts the stomach into a small pouch.

The band is usually connected to the skin using a small plastic tube. This helps the surgeon (and the patient) to exert some control over the band. By injecting or removing saline (or water) into this tube, the pressure that is exerted on the stomach can be increased or reduced as desired. An increase in the squeeze may be needed if the rate of weight loss is too slow. A reduction may be needed, on the other hand, if there are adverse side effects of the operation.

The results of this operation vary from one individual to another. The procedure is safe for the most part but there are some possible side effects that you need to be aware of. Those that are experienced commonly include vomiting, nausea, minor bleeding and wound infection. Small adjustments to the tightness of the band usually control the nausea and vomiting.

Sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of a large part of the stomach to leave between 20 and 25% of the original. The resultant shape is tubular or sleeve-shaped (hence the name). Weight loss is mainly due to two effects. The first is the reduced volume which also reduces food intake and contributes to early satiety. The second is the increased transit time that reduces food absorption.

Sleeve gastrectomy may be used in adolescents and children. Studies have ruled out any major effects on growth in children less than 14 years. The side effects that one should anticipate include nausea, aversion to food, leakage of food, infections and esophageal spasms among others. After some years, the stomach may dilate slightly but this is hardly a cause for worry.

The two bariatric operations are usually done as day cases. You can home on the same day that you are operated. One can resume their daily routine within 24 to 48 hours. The general advice is that one remains on light diet consisting of mashed up foods and liquids for at least two weeks. Soft foods and the regular diet follow thereafter.




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