Facts Related To Gastric Banding And Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Ryan Meyer


Bariatric surgeries are increasingly becoming an acceptable method of weight control in New York. In general these methods achieve their effect by reducing the stomach capacity which in turn reduces the amount of food that an individual can eat at a given time. Related to the same is early satiety and reduced absorption of nutrients. There are three main types of bariatric operations that are performed. These include gastric bypass, gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy.

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.

Gastric banding is the simpler of the two procedures. It involves the fixation of a special band (made of silicone) onto the external surface of the stomach resulting in compression. The external force reduces the size of the stomach and by extension, the food that one can eat at a given point in time. The reduced size of stomach also causes early satiety which reduces food intake even further.

The compression force that is used will vary from one individual to another. The most important determinant is the weight of the individual. Obese individuals will get a higher compression force than those that are classified as overweight. A tube connected to the silicone band can be accessed from an area under the skin. Fluid can be injected or withdrawn from this tubing so as to either increase or reduce the magnitude of compression.

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 also be performed through an open and laparoscopic techniques. The laparoscopic option is the more preferred option due to the lower rate of complications. During gastrectomy, the stomach is cut along its length and a large portion of it (between 75% and 80%). The remnant is a small tubular structure that also resembles a sleeve and hence the name.

When the stomach is converted into the tubular structure, the period of time that food takes in the organ is considerably reduced. This is a desired effect of the operation. Side effects that arise from the performance of sleeve gastrectomy are almost the same as those that are realized with the banding technique. Those that may be specific to gastrectomy include leakage of food through incisions on the stomach and displacement of staples or stitches.

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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