Basics Concerning 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.

There are two main forms of surgical approaches that can be used in the placement of silicone bands. The first, the open technique, is performed through a large incision in the anterior abdominal wall. Under direct visualization, the surgeon locates the stomach and places the band in the desired region manually. The second method which is the commoner and more preferred of the two is the laparoscopic approach. Here access to the abdominal cavity is through very small incisions.

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.

You should anticipate a number of complications when you undergo this procedure. Those that are seen commonly include excessive blood loss, injury to internal structures, nausea and vomiting among others. Vomiting and nausea are likely to ensue if the degree of compression is too much. Reducing the compression resolves these symptoms in most cases. The risk of infections is reduced through the administration of antibiotics.

Just like banding, gastrectomy can be performed either through the open technique or laparoscopically. The procedure itself involves the reduction of stomach volume by surgically removing a portion of it. An incision is made along the greater length of the stomach and as much as 80% is removed leaving behind a very small part that can hold just an ounce of food. The resultant shape looks like a sleeve 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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