Facts Related To Gastric Banding And Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Ryan Meyer


Recent years have seen an exponential rise in the use of bariatric surgeries to achieve weight loss in New York. There are many types of bariatric surgeries that can be performed but all of them achieve the desired effects in a similar way. The objective of having such operations is to reduce the size of the stomach which in turn minimizes the quantity of food an individual can consume during a single meal. Gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy are among the commonly performed bariatric operations.

Banding and gastrectomy are more similar than they are different. Banding is performed by placing a silicone band on a part of the stomach (usually the upper portion) so that a compression effect reduces the size of the organ. The individual can consume about one ounce of food most of which goes to the provision of energy with very little being stored. Faster filling results in early satiety which further reduces the amount of food eaten.

The operations that can be used for the placement of the band are of two main types: the open procedure and the laparoscopy technique. The open procedure involves the use of a large incision running from the pubic region to the epigastric region. The stomach is visualized directly before band placement is done. The laparoscopic technique, on the other hand, uses very small openings known as ports. An instrument known as a laparoscope is used under the guidance of a camera.

The magnitude of compression varies from one patient to another depending on their condition. A higher degree of compression is likely to be used if the patient is obese with associated medical complications. A plastic tubing is usually connected to the tubing and one end can be accessed from an area under the skin. The tube allows for adjustments to compression force to be made. Injection of water in the tubing increases the compression and withdrawing reduces it.

There are a number of complications that may be encountered with this procedure. These include among others, injury to vital structures in the abdominal cavity, infections, bleeding, nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are often the result of too much compression. Withdrawing some water from the control tubing helps relieve the pressure which in turn reduces the likelihood of nausea and vomiting. Antibiotics have to be administered to reduce the risk of infections.

Gastrectomy can be conducted either laparoscopically or the open procedure. The laparoscopic option is by far, the more preferred due to the fewer complications. In performing gastrectomy, close to 80% of the stomach is removed and discarded. This makes the procedure irreversible unlike banding. The resultant organ looks like a sleeve and hence its name.

The conversion of the stomach into a tubular structure results in less time for absorption which is a desired effect of all bariatric surgeries. The side effects associated with the sleeve procedure are similar to those that are result from banding. Additional side effects include leakages of food through the incision site and the loss of staples or stitches used to repair the stomach.

Ideal candidates to undergo bariatric surgeries are persons that have tried losing weight through lifestyle modification and have been unsuccessful. Regular exercise and proper diet are among the most effective modalities of weight loss and their benefits must be optimized first before other solutions are considered. A patient with a very high body mass index stands to benefit more than one with a lower value.




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