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Weight Loss Surgical Procedures LapBand™ Adjustable Gastric Banding System LapBand™ Adjustable Gastric Banding System The LapBand™ is becoming quite a popular weight loss surgical options in the United States, although it has been widely used in European countries for more than ten years. Many are now considering the LAP-Band procedure over the Roux-en-Y procedure as it is less invasive and it is reversable.
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With the LapBand™ procedure, the surgeon places a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. This placement is critical as it must restrict the portion of the stomach that sends the message to the brain that the stomach is full. The band also slows the passage of food from the restricted stomach to the lower stomach, allowing for the patient to experience fullness for a longer period of time. A small port is positioned into the upper abdoman, directly below the skin. Six to eight weeks following surgery, the patient will return to the office for saline injections into the port. With the injection, the band "balloons," thus causing further restriction on the stomach. On average, the patient will receive between 4-6 fills of saline before their own, individual, optimum restriction is received. Weight loss with the LapBand™ surgery is not as dramatic initially as it's Roux-en-Y counterpart. LapBand™ patients, on average, loose 1.5 to 2 pounds per week. The LapBand™ surgery is performed laparoscopically. This procedure, although just finding popularity here in the United States, has been performed in Europe and Australia for the past 15 years. It is a viable alternative to weight loss to those patients who are not at such great BMI risk as well as for patients that are comfortable with loosing their weight at a more gradual pace.
The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery has been the most popular weight loss surgery in the United States. In this procedure, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch and then constructs a “bypass” for food. The bypass allows food to skip parts of the small intestine. With this bypass, fewer calories and nutrient are absorbed by the body. This procedure can be performed either laparoscopically or open. The laparoscopic operation is performed with the surgeon making six, one inch incisions, around the outside of the abdomen. Directed by camera, the surgeon performs the surgery by working around the abdomen with instruments. The open procedure is performed by the surgeon making a 4 inch incision in abdomen. This procedure is often preferred for the higher risk patient as it allows the surgeon easier access to the abdomen. The trend now, however, is with the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y operation as this allows for faster recovery for the patient. There are many advantages for the Roux-en-Y patient following surgery. Although the "why" has not yet been determined, studies show that 83.7% of Type II diabetes is resolves, often days following the surgery. The resolution rate of this procedure does exceed the rate of Type II Diabetes resolved by banding. Additionally, nearly 97% of hyperlipidemia cases, as well as over 75% of hypertension is resolved. Also of note is that of the hypertension cases that are unresolved, 87% of those cases are improved. Studies show that the Roux-en-Y patient looses 61.6% of their excess weight, thus greatly improving their overall health, well being and quality of life. Because the Roux-en-Y procedure bypasses a portion of the smaller intestine, the patient's absorption rate is less. It is important for the patient, following surgery, to supplement with iron and B-12 vitamins to ensure optimal health and to eleviate the possibility of iron deficiency and issues associated with such. The patient must also pay close attention to the portion and content of their diet. Too much sugar, or ingesting too much food at one time, can lead to dumping syndrome. Although dumping syndrome is not serious, it can cause discomfort with vomiting and feeling faint. Diarrhea can also occur. |
