Sunday, January 17, 2016

Why The Lap-Band And Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy May Be The Only Solution

By Arthur Young


Sleeve Gastrectomy or gastric sleeve, is one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgical procedures today. In this weight loss surgery the stomach volume is reduced by surgically removing up to 85% of the stomach area, with the remaining part shaped like a tube or a sleeve, hence the name. The Lap-Band and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, the can be done as part one of gastric bypass procedure or as a definite procedure. It is a restrictive procedure which restricts the amount of food you can consume.

This procedure reduces the amount of food that the stomach can hold. It has also been found to reduce the amount of a specific hormone, ghrelin, which is produced in the stomach. This hormone is what triggers hunger and with smaller amounts being produced the individual has a reduced appetite. The final result of this procedure allows food to pass through smoothly even with a smaller stomach.

Research has now found that obese patients that go through this procedure are able to keep the excess weight off for longer. The study found that patients lost 57.4% of excessive BMI (Body Mass Index) over a period of 5 years.

Most of those who have tried safer and less costly procedures which are typically non-surgical methods with no much success, and the weight loss surgery comes out as the only option. The gastric sleeve surgery is performed laparoscopically. This involves making small size incisions that cuts away part of the stomach. It is performed by a bariatric surgeon who is an expert in the field. He does this by inserting a small camera also known as the laparoscope through one of the small holes and several tiny instruments to cut away the part of the stomach. This telescope transmits a magnifying image of the patient's abdomen and surrounding areas onto a television monitor, helps surgeons see the whole operation on a screen.

Other benefits seen with this surgery are the reduction of related conditions found in obese patients. Patients with diabetes have seen their diabetes reduce and even go into total remission after this surgery. Others experienced a reduction in sleep apnea problems. The ability to move, climb stairs and walk may be impaired with obesity, but the weight loss achieved after surgery allowed patients to increase their physical activity. High blood pressure was also found to stabilize sometimes eliminating the need for medication.

The main advantage associated with the procedure is the high success rate. In a short time of two years, most of patients lose up to 60-80% of excess body weight. Another advantage is that there is no permanently restrictive device or foreign objects like the band which have to be implanted in the body. The objects have been known to slip, erode and even cause an infection. Infections.

This procedure doesn't require regular check-ups and adjustments like the gastric band. With gastric sleeve, there is no malabsorption of nutrients therefore you are not required to take minimal vitamin and mineral supplementation after the surgery. This make it less costly and more effective, partly contributing to its popularity. It does not require extreme adjustment to the lifestyle, and is therefore an easy and more successful procedure.

However, there are huge fluctuations in the cost of obesity treatments and surgeries in these countries too, depending on the surgery type, the country you opt to get the procedure done, and of course, the surgeon's expertise.




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