Basics Concerning Gastric Banding And Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Ryan Meyer


Bariatric surgery refers to an operation that is done with the objective of losing weight. Many different forms of this operation exist in New York but the principle under which they work is the same. These operations are done to reduce the volume of the stomach which effectively reduces the amount of food that can be consumed at a given point in time. Less nutrients are absorbed and over time, weight loss sets int. There are a few things regarding gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy you should know.

Banding and gastrectomy are distinct options but the principles are the same. As the name suggests, banding involves the use of an artificial band made from silicone. This band is usually fixed to a portion of the stomach resulting in compression. The compression causes a reduction in the volume of the stomach which means that less food will be held from the time of the duration onward.

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 Fluid can be injected or withdrawn from this tubing so as to either increase or reduce the magnitude of compression.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 several complications that may occur when one undergoes this kind of operation. They include, among others, excessive loss of blood, infections, vomiting and nausea. Excessive compression is thought to be the main contributing factor for nausea and vomiting. Reducing the compression force reduces the severity of these two. To reduce the risk of infections, prophylactic antibiotics have to be administered.

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.

The tubular structure of the stomach after the operation reduces the transit time of food considerably. This means that less nutrients are absorbed and this is what all bariatric operations aim to achieve. Side effects that may arise from gastrectomy are similar to those that are seen with the banding procedure. Those that may relate to gastrectomy only include food leakage and the loss of stitches or staples.

An ideal candidate to undergo bariatric surgery is one who has attempted achieving their objective using conservative methods. Such include participation in regular physical exercise and diet modification in a manner that reduces carbohydrate and fat content. Persons that have a high body mass index BMI of say, 40, are more likely to benefit than those with a lower value of this index.




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