Basics Relating To Lap-band And Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Joseph Foster


Surgery is increasingly being accepted as an option of weight loss. The surgeries that are found in this category are known as bariatric operations. The advances that have been made in surgical practice in recent times such as the adoption of laparoscopic techniques have made the operations more effective and safer. Lap-band and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are among the most commonly performed types of bariatric surgeries.

Surgical weight loss options should only be considered if lifestyle changes have been tried with no success for a considerable period of time. Although the lifestyle modifications tend to take a bit long before results can be appreciated, they do not have any serious side effects. The two main areas where changes can be made are the diet and level of physical activity. Strive to have a healthier diet and to engage in regular physical exercise.

This surgery is also known as gastric banding. As suggested by the name, a silicon band is used. Fitting this band on the upper portion of the stomach significantly reduces the size of your stomach. As a matter of fact the remainder is just a small pouch whose capacity is about an ounce of food. This operation is done laparoscopically meaning that very small incisions (surgical cuts) are required to see it through.

When the size of your stomach is reduced to a small pouch, the amount of food that you can consume at meal time is significantly reduced. You will notice that you get early satiety. Within weeks or months, you will start to lose weight because most of what you eat is used in the provision of energy and very little is converted to fat.

One of the major advantages of this operation over any other of its type is the fact that it is easy to exert control over. This is enabled by a plastic tubing that runs from the silicon tube to an accessible area under the skin. By filling or emptying this tube with a liquid such as saline or sterile water the effective pressure of the ring can be controlled; filling the tube increases the pressure and emptying it reduces it.

Just like the lap band operation, gastric sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive operation. This means it limits the amount of food that one can eat in one sitting. The stomach is cut along its length to leave just a small portion of the original. Generally, between 75 and 80% of the organ is removed. What is left is a tubular structure that can only hold a fraction of the food held previously. Weight loss is through reduced food consumption and reduced absorption of nutrients.

There are a number of complications associated with these operations. These include nausea, vomiting, infections, esophageal spasms and leakage of food contents (in the case of gastrectomy). Fortunately, these complications are quite rare and can be easily managed if encountered. This notwithstanding it is important that you have a discussion with your doctor to see whether your risk is higher or lower compared to the general population.

You should appreciate the fact that the results of the operation are bound to vary among patients. These differences exist because of patient and doctor factors. Patient factors may include the severity of the problem, genetic factors or the lifestyle after the operation. The doctor factors may include skill and type of technique used.




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