| Due to the fast growing rates of obesity in our | | | | who do not meet the criteria to have lap band |
| society, there have been a number of different | | | | surgery. Gastric sleeve surgery is performed on |
| types of weight loss surgeries developed to help | | | | people so they can reach a safe weight to have |
| people lose weight and live longer. When deciding | | | | a more invasive surgery. The surgeon makes |
| which weight loss surgery is best for you, it is | | | | small incisions and inserts a viewing tube that is |
| important to compare each surgery. Two such | | | | equipped with a laparoscope (small camera) to |
| weight loss surgeries are laparoscopic adjustable | | | | see inside the incisions in order to remove part of |
| gastric band (LAGB), also called lap band surgery | | | | the stomach. The remaining tube-shaped stomach |
| or gastric banding, and laparoscopic sleeve | | | | is closed with staples. It is normally followed by a |
| gastrectomy, (LSG) also called gastric sleeve | | | | gastric bypass after the patient has lost a |
| surgery. | | | | considerable amount of weight. |
| Lap Band Surgery | | | | The second surgery normally takes place within |
| Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding is a type | | | | 12 to 18 months after the gastric sleeve surgery. |
| of weight loss surgery that involves inserting an | | | | A gastric sleeve decreases the size of the |
| access port under the skin. The access port is | | | | stomach by removing 60% to 80% of the |
| attached to a gastric band that has an inflatable | | | | stomach. After removal, there is just a thin tube |
| balloon. The lap band is attached around the upper | | | | that is remaining. The portion of stomach along |
| part of the stomach which forms a small gastric | | | | the greater curvature is the part that is removed |
| pouch. The balloon is filled with saline solution. Using | | | | and contains the portion that produces Ghrelin |
| the access port, the surgeon will fill the balloon | | | | which is the hormone that stimulates hunger. The |
| with saline solution. The filled balloon reduces the | | | | result is reduced hunger and it limits the amount |
| size of the stomach. The saline can be withdrawn | | | | of food that can be eaten. With a gastric sleeve, |
| or filled to modify food intake. The patient will feel | | | | there are few food intolerances and a low risk of |
| full with smaller amounts of food. Lap band | | | | malnutrition. |
| surgery is the only reversible weight loss surgery. | | | | When choosing a weight loss surgery, it is |
| The entire procedure takes about an hour and is | | | | important to make sure that you are well |
| performed as an outpatient procedure. There is | | | | informed. It is essential that you do your research |
| very little scarring. Lap band is a minimally invasive | | | | and consult with a weight loss surgeon to |
| weight loss procedure. | | | | determine if you are a candidate and if you have |
| Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) | | | | any specific health issues. By being informed about |
| Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG), gastric | | | | your weight loss surgery options, you will know |
| sleeve surgery, is a procedure that is normally | | | | that the choice you make will be the best choice |
| performed on patients who are too obese to | | | | for your situation. |
| have an other types of weight loss procedures or | | | | |