Bariatric Surgery Blog - Weight Loss Surgery News » Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve Gastrectomy Benefits on Co-Morbidities

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:56:45 +0000

Sleeve Gastrectomy Benefits on Co-Morbidities

Gastric Sleeve Surgery, or sleeve gastrectomy surgery, has been shown to benefit many co-morbidities including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and more. Today we’re looking at just how well sleeve gastrectomy can benefit patients who have these conditions.

Type 2 Diabetes – 66% of patients have been cured, and about 20% Improved.

Hypertension – resolved in 88% of patients.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea – 87% resolved.

Other benefits often included in the group of bariatric surgery benefits are included below. But were not included in the published paper.

Quality of Life – 95% Improved!

Migraines – 57% resolved.

Pseudotumor Cerebri – 96% Resolved.

Dyslipidemia Hypercholesterolemia – 63% Resolved.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – 90% Improved steatosis, 37% resolution of inflammation, 20% resolution of fibrosis.

Metabolic Syndrome – 83% resolved

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 79% resolution of hirsutism, 100% resolution of menstrual dysfunction

Venous Stasis Disease 95% resolved

Depression – 55% resolved.

Asthma 82% Improved or resolved.

Cardiovascular Disease 82% risk reduction/

GERD72-98% resolved.

Stress Univary Incontinence – 44-88% resolved.

Degenerative Joint Disease – 41-76% resolved

Gout 77% resolved

Mortality – 80% reduction in 5-year mortality.

References:

Mervyn Deitel, Ross Crosby, Michel Gagner. The First International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy. Obesity Surgery. February 2008:
Share and Enjoy:

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy: Its your choice…

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:47:47 +0000

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy: Its your choice…

In the recent years, obesity has become nothing less than a menace to society. Based on reports released by the WHO in 2008, there are about 1.5 billion adults, older than 20 years old, who are overweight. Among them, 200 million men and almost 300 million women are obese!1 These numbers are appalling as obesity increases the risk of developing life-threatening conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease by more than 70% and an increased risk of acquiring both breast and colon cancer by as much as 42%.2 These staggering numbers have led many morbidly obese individuals in resorting to fast and efficient weight loss surgeries not only to make themselves look better but most importantly to achieve better health conditions.

With an obesity-related death toll of about 500,000 in 2005, the numbers of people who undergo weight loss surgeries have been soaring.3 And every year, more and more innovative procedures are being developed in order to produce healthier and happier individuals. And recently, people have been turning to a procedure that is popular in giving high success rates but is not as invasive as other types of weight loss surgeries, that is— Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG).

What is Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, also known as gastric sleeve surgery, gastric sleeve resection or simply sleeve gastrectomy, is one of the most innovative type of weight loss surgery designed as of yet.

During this procedure, the surgeon will remove about 85% of your stomach, making it look like a tube or sleeve, thus the name “sleeve” gastrectomy. And even when the surgeon needs to remove that much, he or she only makes a small incision on the abdomen. This is where the surgeon would insert a probe equipped with a built-in camera (laparoscope) along with other small surgical instruments to remove parts of the stomach.

The procedure takes about 3 hours and the patient will be required to stay in the hospital for one to two nights depending on his or her condition and overall health. Healing is relatively fast, in fact, patients who had sleeve gastrectomy returned to work after only 1 to 3 weeks following their surgery. 4

Why does Sleeve Gastrectomy work?

It is a known fact that in order to burn excess fat and lose weight, you have to eat less than what your body needs every day. This is the principle behind sleeve gastrectomy, which is a form of restrictive weight loss surgery. That by significantly reducing stomach size, the individual will consume less as his or her stomach is now easily filled. Other clinicians also theorize that by reducing stomach size, there will be reduced production of a stomach-produced hormone called Ghrelin that induces feeding. Thus, with vertical sleeve gastrectomy, the individual becomes full easily and is less hungry.5 6

Why undergo Sleeve Gastrectomy?

The benefits of sleeve gastrectomy go beyond simply having better looks and fast weight loss. For patients having trouble with weight, sleeve gastrectomy offers an opportunity to feel better as well as live longer and more productive lives along with significantly reduced risks of acquiring any kind of obesity-related condition.

Apart from that, sleeve gastrectomy patients report lesser digestion problems compared to other types of weight loss surgeries. No foreign objects are placed within the body and as it is purely restrictive, it avoids occurrence of malabsorption problems among patients. Finally, the remaining part of the stomach is made of less stretchy tissue that is less likely to stretch and fail in the following years.7

Its your choice…

Just like every other type of surgery, patients may have several complications after the surgery such as possible leaking of stomach contents, presence of blood clots, wound infection and bleeding. Then again, living a healthier and more rewarding life will never be without risks. In the end, the choice will always be yours to make. Whether you choose to have a sleeve gastrectomy or another type of weight loss surgery, or whether you choose to exercise or to just go on a diet, the most important thing is that you lose weight. And to do that, all you really need to do is simply — MAKE A CHOICE!

Share and Enjoy:

Gastric Sleeve Benefits for Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:57:25 +0000

Gastric Sleeve Benefits for Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Obesity is defined as having excessive or abnormal accumulation of fat in the body. It is determined through the body mass index calculated by means of dividing the person’s weight in kilograms by the square of his or her height in meters. Obesity occurs over time when an individual eats more calories than they use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might tip the balance include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active. Being obese increases the risk of acquiring chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes which may in turn lead to diseases of the heart and other organs which will eventually lead to death. Knowing the risks obesity incurs, physicians are now strongly recommending obese individuals to trim down. Losing even 10% of the total body weight can significantly lower risks related to obesity.

Hypertension or high blood pressure, one of the illnesses obesity causes, is defined as a chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. Hypertension is twice commonly diagnosed in obese individuals than those with normal body mass index. Designated as either essential or primary and secondary hypertension, it is usually diagnosed on the basis of persistent increase in the blood pressure. Blood pressure is expressed through a fraction using millimeters of mercury or mmHg as the unit and measured through the use of an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. The top number, the systolic blood pressure, corresponds to the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The bottom number, the diastolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction.

The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, 110/75 mmHg is considered low normal while 130/85 is the high normal. Hypertension starts at 140/90 mmHg. The signs and symptoms associated with the illness include dizziness, headache, shortness of breath and blurred vision. Sometimes, however, hypertension presents as an asymptomatic condition until it has other complications already, thus labeled as a ‘silent killer.’ Complications include heart disease, atherosclerosis, eye damage, renal failure and stroke. Taking into consideration the complications, it is consequently very important to diagnose and immediately manage the condition. Treatments include medications like ACE inhibitors, ARB drugs, beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers, and peripheral vasodilators. Since hypertension has been associated with obesity, physicians also strongly recommend dietary and lifestyle changes such as decreasing salt and fat intake which eventually leads to losing weight. However, if attempts of weight loss cannot be achieved through dietary measures, weight loss surgery is of an option.

Obesity plays a big role in hypertension. Since hypertension is a chronic disease doctors highly recommend weight loss. One of the weight loss surgeries physician highly recommend to very obese individuals is gastric sleeve surgery. The surgery can be done laparoscopically under general anesthesia. It is a much safer operation for individuals who are very obese. Basically a part of the stomach is stapled off and separated and usually about 70-80% of the stomach’s natural carrying capacity is cut off without involving the intestinal tract. The patient would usually experience early satiety as the result of the procedure. Also, metabolically speaking the surgery also helps in weight loss by decreasing the amount of ghrelin, a hunger causing hormone, in the body. The part which was cut off in surgery is held responsible for the production of the hormone. Post surgery patients are placed in a liquid diet. The diet slowly progress from soft to solid foods. The patient is also advised to eat slowly, chew foods properly and not to eat and drink at the same time. Lifestyle adjustments in diet and exercise and compliance with medication regimes are important factors in determining the outcome for people with hypertension. Studies show that with weight reduction and regular exercise improves blood flow and helps reduce heart rate and blood pressure. According to a 2004 article from the Journal of the American Medical Association nearly 75% of patients with high blood pressure can have improvement or resolution of the their high blood pressure after weight loss surgery. Thus, weight loss remains one of the existing management for hypertension.

Share and Enjoy:

Cost Savings Of Medical Procedures In Mexico

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:21:03 +0000

Cost Savings Of Medical Procedures In Mexico

Medical tourism is a trend that has been growing by leaps and bounds for a number of years. Of course the main attraction for most seeking medical attention abroad has been cost. However, now patients traveling to Mexico for medical treatment are also doing so for the higher level of quality service and expertise, especially when it comes to weight loss surgeries. In fact Mexican hospitals and doctors have been performing lap band surgery for even longer than doctors in the United States. This is further evidenced by a report from Washington advocacy group (for health care issues), Families USA that showed that 90 percent of patients traveling to Mexico for medical treatment rated their experience as good or excellent, while only 80 percent of those who remained in the US for treatment gave the same rating.

When taking into consideration that the cost of medical treatment in Mexico averages 50% less than in the US, with prices often as low as one fifth, even when you add in travel expenses it is much wiser to cross the border for health care. This is especially true when it comes to medical procedures like lap band surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypasses. Why anyone would want to stay in the US and and pay more for inferior service and less experienced doctors is a mystery.

These types of weight loss surgeries are normally not covered by US health insurance plans, however many US employers have been turning to health care plans that cover treatment in Mexico instead of the US to both save money and take better care of their employees. Last year it was reported that 1 million people from the US headed to places in Mexico like Monterrey, Tijuana and Mexicali for health care. Additionally another 1 million American retirees now reside south of the border and rely on Mexican hospitals for their everyday health needs. In fact many US doctors have given up the battle and have relocated to Mexico themselves in order to be able to compete.

Find out price of Lap Band Surgery in Mexico

However the best savings and doctors in Mexico for bariatric procedures are normally not found a the clinics that do the most advertising. Those unfortunately spend far too much in promoting themselves and eat up the savings which either results in higher costs, lower quality services or both. Instead look for Mexico based hospitals in Mexicali, Tijuana and Monterrey that are accredited by the Joint Commission International and participate in educational exchange programs with the US´s top medical facilities. These hospitals offer the best in world class service, along with the highest trained doctors, latest equipment and offer the biggest savings as most of their business is on referral basis not from spending millions on having to attract new clients each year.

Perhaps the only one factor that has deterred some from taking advantage of the great benefits of bariatric surgery south of the border has been safety concerns. Not with the medical services themselves but due to the country. However while the news media has enjoyed some extra stories from some small isolated incidents in the last couple years, when you look at the hard facts and statistics you will find that in general Mexico is much safer to travel to for health care than many areas of the United States. Certainly traveling to Mexico is much safer than other options like India. Which raises another interesting point. Those who are still under the misconception that health care may be better in the US , may be horrified to realize than many US hospitals now outsource the interpretation and reading of test results to doctors in places like India in order to cut costs. Scary but true.

So the bottom line seems to be that medical tourism to Mexico, while offering incredible discounts on health care services like weight loss surgery also has the superior advantages of more experienced surgeons, newer equipment, better personalized services and safety. It certainly seems like it is not a choice of going to Mexico for your medical needs, but simply which hospital to choose and how soon you can go.

Share and Enjoy:

Tips For Finding The Best & Most Affordable Weight Loss Surgery

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:35:17 +0000

Tips For Finding The Best & Most Affordable Weight Loss Surgery

For those seeking out an effective form weight loss treatment whether it is vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass or lap band surgery there are a number of factors that should be considered before making an informed decision and making sure you get the best treatment at the best price.

Factors To Consider Include:
Cost of weight loss surgery
Travel
Experience of doctors and medical staff
Safety of location
Quality of hospital
Attention to service

Cost of Weight Loss Surgery
As weight loss surgery is not normally covered by health care insurance electing to have gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy or lap band surgery in the USA can be an extremely expense procedure that can cost upwards of $17,000 to $30,000. In comparison, medical tourism destinations like Mexicali, Tijuana and Monterrey Mexico offer lap band surgery for as little as $6,300 in superior facilities and performed by more experienced doctors.

Travel
Even if you were to stay in the US for your weight loss surgery you will likely have to travel to find a quality medical facility offering the procedures. There are far away destinations like India offering low cost weight loss treatments, though the costs of traveling there are prohibitive and eat away at the discounts and better quality treatment can be found closer to home, across the border in Mexico. The better hospitals offer assistance with travel as well as stay in luxury accommodations.

Experience of Doctors and Medical Staff
Of course the huge savings from seeking medical treatment abroad comes from mainly form the lower cost of construction and labor. This does not mean lower quality or inexperienced medical professionals, simply that local living costs are lower and wages are lower. In fact the best hospitals in Mexico that specialize in weight loss surgery actively participate in exchange programs with the world’s leading medical institutions as well of course having doctors that have also studied at the best US universities. While lap band, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries may be rare in some countries that are trying to begin offering them, Mexican doctors have been performing these procedures even before their US based counter parts. This translates to more experienced and better trained medical professionals who can offer the best and safest treatment.

Safety of Location
While medical tourism has been booming throughout this decade and now motivates millions of Americans to travel abroad each safety should still be a consideration. Countries where English is rarely spoken can lead to all kinds of safety issues and concerns. Countries like India and other parts of South America can be extremely dangerous for tourists. However staying in the US is not necessarily the answer. In fact compared to Mexico, many US cities are far more dangerous and prone to random crime even average American towns you would not normally consider violent or dangerous like Jacksonville, Florida.

Quality of Hospital
Whether you choose to stay at home or go abroad the quality of the hospital you choose is very important. The Joint Commission International is the international non-profit organization that accredits hospitals worldwide that meet the highest global standards. Any hospital that you consider choosing should be accredited by the JCI. Also look for hospitals that have exchange programs and are connected with other prime medical institutions which is a sign of the level of quality you can expect. Also hospitals are a much safer and wiser choice than small private surgery centers. Fortunately for those heading to Mexico there are several incredible hospitals that are easily the equivalent of the best US hospitals using the latest techniques and offering the best state of the art equipment and technology.

Attention to Service
Great equipment, low prices, safety and expert doctors are all important and critical. However when electing to undergo any type of weight loss surgery or other medical treatment you deserve to receive personal attention and great service, especially when you are paying for it. The International Business Bureau is just like the local Better Business Bureau that you use to check up on everyday companies and surgery is definitely something you want to check up on providers for. To ensure the best service also look for hospitals that unlike small surgery centers do not rely on advertising to find new clients, but their great reputation instead.

Share and Enjoy:

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery: Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:19:55 +0000

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery: Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The vertical sleeve gastrectomy or known as longitudinal “vertical” gastrectomy, gastric reduction or vertical gastroplasy is a laparoscopic bariatric “weight loss” surgery aiming at reducing the stomach size by stapling the stomach and removing a part of it leaving a banana shaped sleeve or tube from the stomach. The operation is irreversible.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy LSG operation reduces up to 85% from the stomach size avoiding the mal-absorption caused by gastric bypass surgery. The surgery is formed under general anesthesia and it requires only a small abdominal incision “laparoscopic” to do stomach stapling and remove the separated part.

Sleeve gastrectomy indications:

The vertical sleeve gastrectomy operation is indicated for obese patients with BMI over 40. This is usually called morbid obesity where the excess weight threats the patient’s health and disturbs his lifestyle. The operation may be sufficient enough to reduce the weight permanently for moderately obese patients but in some cases of sever obesity it is only a stage. It may be required to follow the operating with gastric bypass if it failed alone to achieve the desired weight.

Advantages Vs disadvantages:
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has the following advantages as a bariatric surgery:

Reduces the stomach size with preserving good digestive and absorptive functions of the GIT.

Eliminates the hunger hormones producing portion of the stomach (Ghrelin).

Avoid the complications of gastric bypass surgery.

A good single stage operation for weight reduction for moderately obese patients.

A promising step for initial weight loss for severely obese patients with BMI over 55 and before thinking about having gastric bypass.

A suitable choice for patients concerned from inserting a foreign body in their body (gastric band) or afraid from the burdens of gastric bypass.

Although it has promising effects, LSG operating has some disadvantages like:

Irreversible.

May develop complications due to the stapling procedure.

Its effect on BMI is not always sufficient and patients with BMI over 55 may require a second stage operation to reach the desired goal.

The intake of soft calories as milk shakes and ice cream will affect the weight as the excess calories are absorbed normally from the stomach sleeve.

LSG preparation
As any surgical procedures, there are some pre-operative preparations to fulfill carefully. The pre-operative preparatory instructions from your doctor will mainly include:
Start Atkins diet for 2 weeks before the surgery to reduce the fat around your liver.
Make sure be on regular intake of clear fluids 48 hours before surgery.
You must cleanse your colon before surgery by taking magnesium citrate or Colyte. But you may “alternatively” be on clear fluids for 4 days instead of only two if you would like to avoid taking Colyte or magnesium citrate.
Stop any medication unless indicated and recommended by your doctor.
Stop any herbal medication and over the counter medications for headache or allergy or other similar conditions 7 days before the surgery.
You should listen carefully to your doctors instructions, get full information about your condition and tell the doctor all your medical history and discuss your concerns before the operation.

Post-operative lifestyle:
After the surgery, you have to change your lifestyle in order to reach the desired surgery outcome. These modifications are mainly:

Dietary modifications:
You’ll be instructed to change your diet and eating habits. The main points are summarized in drinking more water (about 8 cups of water per day) and increase this amount y 10-20% if you are on exercise. You MUST not drink water or fluids with solid food.
Regarding your meals, the first couple of months will be the hardest times as you have to adapt to your new stomach size. You must chew food well and eat smaller amount of food within longer meal time (30-45 minutes for meal). You must stop eating once you feel full. These instructions are very important to benefit from the surgery and avoid complications.

You should have 3 meals per day but the most important thing is to reduce fats and carbohydrates and make the main nutrient of your dies is protein. This is the healthy diet you must be following to be healthier and reduce your excess weight. Keep in mind that there are some food types and habits that you will never do again!

Exercise:
A very good step to consider is regular exercising. Start gradually as 10 minutes per day for one week then 20 minutes per day for 1-2 weeks then 30 minutes per day. Maintain regular 30 minutes’ walk everyday five days per week. This regular exercise is the best to get rid of dangerous fat and get a healthier body.
Regular exercise has been proven to reduce weight efficiently as well as reducing the risk for developing hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes and other diseases associated with obesity. All you have is to put a rigid schedule, make regular exercise on top of your priorities, start gradually and maintain it as a daily routine.

Share and Enjoy:

Sleeve Gastrectomy – Weight Loss Procedure

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:45:30 +0000

Sleeve Gastrectomy – Weight Loss Procedure

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a potentially safe and effective weight loss surgery for individuals with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) and other high risk factors. The procedure essentially reduces the size of one’s stomach by stapling, which in turn leads to weight loss due to less food intake without bypassing the intestines or malabsorption.

Massive overeating stretches the stomach over time. This makes it harder for the stomach to fill, and this creates more frequent sensations of hunger. By performing stomach-reduction surgery, it allows for a smaller stomach that needs less food to fill. Statistics have shown patients who undergo this kind of procedure can lose weight at a rate of nearly two pounds a week or more.

However, because of the invasive nature of the surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, should only be done by a qualified surgeon with extensive experience in weight loss surgery. To learn more about the procedure or to schedule a consultation, visit Ready4aChange.com or call 1-800-270-7120.

Share and Enjoy:

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy: Weight Loss Surgery Option

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:19:26 +0000

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy: Weight Loss Surgery Option

Sleeve Gastrectomy is also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) or Greater Curvature Gastrectomy or Parietal Gastrectomy or Longitudinal Gastrectomy. It is an irreversible procedure unlike lap band. The left side of the stomach is surgically removed, the open edges are then attached together to form a sleeve or tube with a banana shape. The size of the stomach is permanently reduced. The process is performed laparoscopically.

Since this operation does not involve any "rerouting" or reconnecting of the intestines, it is a simpler operation than the gastric bypass or the duodenal switch. Unlike the Lap-Band procedure, the sleeve gastrectomy does not require the implantation of an artificial device inside the abdomen. Technically it appears to be easier and faster laparoscopic procedure than Roux-en Y gastric bypass or other malabsorptive procedures.
Sleeve Gastrectomy, or Gastric Sleeve Surgery, works through two mechanisms. Firstly, makes the stomach smaller; as a result we will full after eating smaller meals. In addition to this the ‘fundus’ of the stomach is removed.It is this area that secretes ghrelin hormone that makes us hungry. So, the sleeve gastrectomy helps us to feel less hungry through a hormonal mechanism.
In obese people with BMI of 60 or more Sleeve Gastrectomy may be the first part of a two stage operation. Certain patients have a body shape, like ones who carry their weight in the belly area that makes their surgery more technically difficult. For such people a multi-step operation like gastric bypass or duodenal switch is broken down into simpler two stage operation. In the first stage, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed. This allows losing 80 to 100 pounds or more, which makes the second part of the operation substantially safer.

The second stage of this two stage operation is usually performed 8 to 12 months after the first. The "sleeve" stomach is converted into a formal gastric bypass or duodenal switch. This permits additional weight loss and provides a much more permanent result than sleeve gastrectomy alone (view success stories). Both the stages of the surgery can be performed laparoscopically, giving the advantage of shorter recovery, shorter incisions, and fewer incision-related problems and less pain.

From the above discussion the advantages of the sleeve gastrectomy is evident. Firstly it does not require disconnecting or reconnecting the intestines. Secondly, it is technically simpler operation than the duodenal switch or gastric bypass. Lastly, it may be used as the first stage of a 2-stage operation.

Talking about the disadvantages, like any surgical operation, sleeve gastrectomy has possibility of complications like leakage, dilation of the sleeve and other usual complications associated with bariatric surgery. Patients are strictly forbidden from smoking after the surgery as smoking would cause serious complications.

For patients that are obese but not extremely obese, sleeve gastrectomy is a suitable operation with minimum risks. Some surgeons even prefer it over gastric banding because it eliminates the need of having to insert a foreign body. The sleeve gastrectomy currently is acceptable weight loss surgery option for obese patients as a single procedure.

Share and Enjoy:

Lap-Band Surgery vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:51:10 +0000

Lap-Band Surgery vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery

Bariatric surgery can help you get rid of excess fat of your body and helps in leading a healthy lifestyle. This could be either achieved by stapling a small portion of your stomach or by tying the stomach with a band.

Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass

Lap-Band and Gastric Bypass are the two surgical options for severely obese patients who have been unable to control weight through diet and exercise. Deciding between the two largely depends on your personal preference and a good knowledge about both surgeries.

Lap band surgery is a minimally invasive procedure requiring no stomach stapling or re-routing of internal organs The Lap band consists of a silicone ring that is placed around the top of the stomach giving it the shape of an hourglass. The resulting pouch dramatically reduces the functional capacity of the stomach. It is designed in such a way that it can be inflated or deflated at any time after operation. Lap band surgery can be adjusted, moved and has no requirement for permanent alteration to the body of the stomach or intestines, which makes it a better option to lose weight. Look into the side effects of Lap Band Surgery to see the full risks of using Gastric Banding Surgery.

Gastric bypass involves creating a small pouch by dividing the stomach. The small intestine is divided and brought up to join the new stomach pouch. This allows the food go straight from the stomach pouch into the small intestine, which causes it to bypass the lower stomach and the duodenum. This reduces the amount of calories that the body absorbs (Find out if having Lap Band Surgery in Mexico is right for you).

The lap band surgery lasts around an hour and requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Gastric bypass surgery takes about four hours and you may have to stay three to five days in a hospital after surgery.

Weight loss is quicker in gastric bypass. With lap band surgery initial weight loss is slower than Gastric bypass, however over a 5-year period, weight loss outcome is similar in both.

In case of Lap-Band it is easy to remove the band and reverse the surgery, requiring only a laparoscopic procedure, after which the stomach usually returns to its normal pre-banded state, since it uses an inflatable saline filled strap that is wrapped around your stomach. A gastric bypass surgery can be reversed, but it should not, as it is very risky.

A gastric bypass cannot be adjusted, while a lap band can be adjusted by means of a port through the skin that the surgeon leaves just below the ribs. To tighten the lap band, the surgeons injects saline solution into it.

Gastric bypass surgery is more expensive than a Lap band surgery. While the cost of lap band surgery comes in between $15,000 to $20,000, gastric bypass costs $20,000 to $25,000.
Gather information like procedure, precautions, recovery period, reversibility and cost of both types of bariatric surgeries. This will help you make the most informed decision.

Share and Enjoy:

Surgical Options To Cure Obesity: Types of Bariatric Surgeries

Ruth Rosa Lenox — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:00:37 +0000

Surgical Options To Cure Obesity: Types of Bariatric Surgeries

There are several types of Bariatric Surgeries to cure obesity:

First category is Restrictive, which surgically reduces the stomach size to reduce amount of food intake. This includes Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (referred to in 70s and 80s as stomach stapling), Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding and Laparoscopic Vertical Gastrectomy (Sleeve Resection).

The Second category is Malabsorption, which is surgical re-routing of the intestines leading to reduced absorption of the food consumed. This includes Jejuno-ileal Bypass (which is not done anymore) and Biliopancreatic Diversion (which is currently rarely done).

The Third category is a combination of Restrictive and Malbsorption procedures which reduces the size of the stomach in conjuction with bypassing some of the small intestine to create a weight loss surgery that works on both advantages. It includes Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (Proximal RNY), Fobi Pouch, Distal RNY, Mini Gastric Bypass and Duodenal Switch.

Other procedures are Gastric pacemaker and Gastric Balloon, neither of which are FDA approved and are still in the investigative process.

In Vertical Gastric Banding the stomach is stapled with surgical staples to half of its capacity. A silastic ring is inserted in the stoma to help prevent the stomach opening from stretching in size and also to prevent stenosis or a stricture of scar tissue from closing this opening. It restricts food intake and creates a feeling of satiety. The VBG was very popular in 1970-1990 – but long term results were poor at best. Over time the stomach stretched back to the original capacity and the staple lines eroded causing patients to regain all if not more of their weight.

Gastric banding limits the quantity of food that can be contained in the stomach with the help of an inflatable silicon band. This removable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach creating a smaller pouch close to the barrio receptors that sense fullness. This method includes less surgical trauma, less pain, a lower rate of complications and smaller scar.

In Laparoscopic Vertical (Sleeve) Gastrectomy the stomach is reduced to the shape of a sleeve and essentially ¾ of the stomach removed. The reduced size causes weight loss because less food can be eaten without any bypass of the intestinal malabsorption. People lose 60% of their excess body weight within 6 months of this surgery. This surgery is only recently done as a standalone surgery; historically the Vertical Gastrectomy was used as a first stage surgery in the super obese because of its low risk factor. Once the patient had lost 50% of their excess weight, a Duodenal Switch could then be performed to insure continued weight loss without the inherent surgical risks of performing a two stage surgery in the same session.

Gastric Bypass or Roux-en-Y surgery is the most common form of laparoscopic surgery. This is recommended for morbid obese patients who are at least 100 pounds over their recommended weight. The surgery bypasses sections of the stomach and small intestine creating significant weight loss through both restricted portions and malabsorbtion. There are several variations of the Laparoscopic RNY – Distal, Proximal and Fobi Pouch.

The Laparoscopic Proximal RNY (up to 150 cm of bypassed intestine with the Y at 75 cm) is the most researched procedure to date and sometimes called the ‘Gold Standard’ of weight loss surgery.

In the Distal RNY procedure, the Y limb connection is created down further than the traditional 75 cm. This longer limb bypass shortens the intestine available for the absorption of nutrients aiding in weight loss. This Distal RNY should only be performed on patients that will without questions have the ability and commitment to secure proper follow-up and will require supplements the rest of their lives.

The Fobi Pouch is a variation of the Proximal RNY in which a silastic ring is placed in opening between the stomach and the intestinal connection to preserve the integrity of the connection over time.

The Duodenal Switch is a hybrid procedure and the most technically challenging and highest risk weight loss surgical procedure. While offering substantial permanent weight loss, the risks are high and the long term complications malnutrition, chronic frequent stools along with flatulence and unpleasant odor make this surgery difficult to live with.

Mini Gastric Bypass has been condemned by the world’s top bariatric surgeons. Do not let the word ‘mini’ fool you. This is basically a rename of the abandoned loop gastric bypass performed in 1970. This procedure while creating good weight loss also creates severe stomach irritation because the stomach is bathed in bile and pancreatic enzymes. Long term effects of this procedure are stomach ulcers and esophageal cancers requiring surgical reversal.

The Intragastric Balloon (BIB) System does not involve surgery. Under the supervision of medical experts an intragastric balloon consisting of a soft silicon balloon is placed in the stomach and filled with sterile saline. The balloon induces a feeling of satiety and the person does not feel hungry. The balloon is removed after six months. This procedure seems to have many complications and is NOT FDA approved and still investigational.

Share and Enjoy: