Lap band® Surgery vs Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Lap band® Surgery vs Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Know the similaries and differences

Weight loss surgery is considered as most effective and easy procedure to lose weight for those who are obese. It involves different procedures such as lap band, gastric sleeve, duodenal switch and gastric bypass surgery. All these surgical procedures are effective to reduce excess weight but it is important to consult with surgeon before going with any bariatric surgery. Some things are important to know about different surgical processes available. This content contains comparative discussion on Lap band surgery vs gastric sleeve surgery.

These both surgeries are effective to reduce excess weight but still it is important to know about these processes in details to determine that which is best choice for you. Lap band surgery and gastric sleeve surgery are similar on some points but there are some other points on which they are differ from each other. The comparative study will include procedure, changes, diet, eating habits, recovery time risk and advantages.

Procedure: Lap band surgery doesn't involve any cutting or stapling instead it use an adjustable band around the stomach to create a new stomach in order to reduce the actual size of stomach whereas gastric sleeve surgery reduces the stomach size up to 60% - 80% by cutting the major stomach area. It also reroute the intestine. This way it is clear that lap band surgery is reversible whereas gastric sleeve is not reversible surgical process. Both these surgeries limits the amount of food taken.

Diet: Lap band patients are can take 800 calories up to 3 years or during weight loss period after that they are allowed to take 1000-1200 calories per day. In gastric sleeve surgery patients can take 600-800 calories every day during weight loss period and after that 1000-1200 calories per can be taken. In both surgeries, patients should avoid fat and high calories foods, snacking and carbonated drinks. Patients should take protein rich foods, multivitamin and calcium.

Operation and Recovery: Lap band surgery vs gastric sleeve surgery doesn't have clear differences at this point. Both surgeries involves approx. 1 hour of operating time. In lap band surgery you have to stay in the hospital only for overnight and after one week, you can get back on your works. It's recovery time is about 6 weeks. In gastric sleeve surgery, you have ti stay at hospital for 2-3 days and you can get back on work after 2 weeks. Its general recovery period is about 3 weeks. Both surgeries use Laparoscopic method for surgery. Lap band surgery is adjustable, reversible and medical implant but these things are not possible with gastric sleeve surgery.

Risks and Complications: Lap band surgery include general surgical infection, band slippage, band erosion and port problems. It requires band fills and adjustments upon getting any unusual health complications. It needs patient efforts to reduce weight. Gastric sleeve surgery include blood clots, infection, bleeding, leakage and pneumonia. It also needs patient's effort for initial weight loss.

Advantages: Both surgeries are very much effective to reduce excess body weight. Lap band surgery is safe, reversible and adjustable. Both these weight loss procedures involves low malnutrition risk and quick recovery period. Obese patients who doesn't qualify for bypass or band surgery can go for gastric sleeve surgery.

Lap band surgery vs gastric sleeve surgery discussion ends here. Here, one important things is that depending upon your BMI and reluctant to change you can select any of these processes for weight loss. But in any situation, your surgeon's advice and guidelines are very much necessary.