Basics Relating To Gastric Banding And Sleeve Gastrectomy

By Martha Foster


Lifestyle changes are highly recommend as ways of losing weight and remaining healthy. Unfortunately, these two are not effective in everyone and there is often a need for other options. Surgical weight loss procedures such as gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy have increased in popularity in New York in recent years due to their effectiveness and safety profile. The two are types of bariatric surgery.

Bariatric operations are also termed restrictive operations. The reason as to why this is the case is due to their effect in reducing the stomach capacity. The amount of food that is eaten in one sitting is markedly reduced. There is early satiety and reduced food consumption. The reduced intake of food causes weight loss in subsequent weeks and months.

As the name suggests, gastric banding involves the use of an elastic band made of silicone. This band is slipped onto the upper portion of the stomach using a laparoscopic approach. In laparascopic surgeries, procedures are conducted through small incisions made in the abdomen as opposed to open procedures where one large incision is needed. The squeeze that is provided by the band on converts the stomach into a small pouch.

The band is usually connected to the skin using a small plastic tube. This helps the surgeon (and the patient) to exert some control over the band. By injecting or removing saline (or water) into this tube, the pressure that is exerted on the stomach can be increased or reduced as desired. An increase in the squeeze may be needed if the rate of weight loss is too slow. A reduction may be needed, on the other hand, if there are adverse side effects of the operation.

Gastric banding has been shown to cause up to 50% in weight loss in a couple of months. The procedure is largely safe but a few side effects may be experienced. Such may include nausea and vomiting, wound infections or minor bleeding. Adjusting the tube often resolves the nausea and vomiting but removal of the tube may be needed if these effects are severe.

Sleeve gastrectomy involves the removal of a large part of the stomach to leave between 20 and 25% of the original. The resultant shape is tubular or sleeve-shaped (hence the name). Weight loss is mainly due to two effects. The first is the reduced volume which also reduces food intake and contributes to early satiety. The second is the increased transit time that reduces food absorption.

Sleeve gastrectomy is safe for use in children and adolescents. There are no adverse effects on growth for children aged less than fourteen years according to studies. The main side effects of this operation include leakage, aversion to food, vomiting, esophageal spasms and infections among others. With time, the stomach may dilate. This occurs over years and is rarely a cause for worry.

These two surgeries are performed as day cases. One can, therefore, be released to go home on the same day. Resumption of the normal daily routine can occur within a day or two. As for the diet, one needs to be on liquid diet and mashed foods for at least two weeks. The food to be eaten for the first two weeks should be either liquid diet or mashed foods.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment