Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLap-Band SurgeryGastric Sleeve SurgeryWhich Treatment Is Best?Can They Be Used Together?Side Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lap-Band Surgery
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Which Treatment Is Best?
Can They Be Used Together?
Side Effects
Lap-band surgeryand gastric sleeve surgery are two different types ofweight loss surgery, also known asbariatric surgery. They are options for treatingobesityto help avoid additional health complications. Both procedures involve surgically adjusting the size of the stomach so that it holds less food.Both procedures do so in different ways and target slightly different patients.
This article provides an overview of lap-band surgery and gastric sleeve surgery, outlining what you should know about these weight loss procedures and their results.
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What to Know About Lap-Band Surgery
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery—orlap-band surgeryfor short—is one option for weight loss surgery that involves placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to reduce its size.
How Does It Work?
As with other bariatric procedures, the goals of lap-band surgery are to increase weight loss and improve any health complicationsrelated to obesity. This includes medical conditions such as high blood pressure,sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes.
Experts recommend the following criteria in order to be a candidate for lap band surgery:
Surgically wrapping a band around the top portion of the stomach limits the amount of food that will fit into the stomach. Ideally, this will make you feel full after eating smaller amounts of food than usual.
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is abiased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
Lap-Band Surgery Delivery
While lap-band surgery is minimally invasive, there are potential side effects that you may experience following the procedure. Some of themost commonare:
Prices & Where to Get It
Experts estimate that bariatric surgery in general can cost between $15,000 and $25,000, or more.One older study estimated the mean cost is about $20,000.
What to Know About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery—also known as sleeve gastrectomy—is a common option for bariatric (weight loss) surgery. It involves removing a portion of your stomach, limiting the amount of food you can eat, and making you feel fuller faster.
The goal is twofold: to improve weight loss and to treat obesity-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, gastric sleeve surgery is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the United States.
To be a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery, experts recommend the following guidelines:
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Delivery
The large portion of the stomach is typically sealed and divided with surgical staples. The large portion that is separated is subsequently removed from the body.
In addition to making the stomach smaller, gastric sleeve surgery also removes parts of the stomach cells that produceghrelin, the hunger hormone that signals you’re hungry. This helps decrease your appetite and often contributes to better weight loss results.
Still, it’s not uncommon to experience certain side effects following gastric sleeve surgery. These include:
Similar to lap-band surgery, gastric sleeve surgery pricing will depend on factors like whether you have health insurance and where you’re getting the procedure done. Many health insurance plans cover weight loss surgery that they consider to bemedically necessary.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery notes that the average cost of bariatric surgery ranges from $17,000 to $26,000.
Which Treatment Is Best for You?
Both lap-band surgery and gastric sleeve surgery have the same end goal: to help people whose health may be at risk from obesity lose excess weight and live a healthier life.
Still, there are a few differences to consider in thinking about which procedure to pursue, including:
Your healthcare provider will be able to discuss these risks and benefits and provide the weight loss surgery options that will be most effective for your individual situation.
Can Lap-Band and Gastric Sleeve Surgery Be Used Together?
Lap-band and gastric sleeve surgery are not used together at the same time. But it is possible to have lap-band surgery first—and then get gastric sleeve surgery later on.
For example, people who aren’t satisfied with lap-band surgery results may be candidates for trying another bariatric surgery. In these cases, the surgeon can remove the lap-band and perform a gastric sleeve operation either immediately after or at a later date.
Coping With the Side Effects
While each person will react to and recover from weight loss procedures differently, your bariatric surgeon or healthcare provider may recommend some of the following treatments to help with side effects:
Formore serious riskssuch as leaking from the stitches, scarring, or an injury to the internal organs, your surgeon will discuss the warning signs so you’ll know exactly what to do and when to seek medical attention.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
There are several different types of weight loss procedures and no one-size-fits-all approach. While lap-band surgery may work well for one person, gastric sleeve surgery may be more effective for someone else. For thebest overall results, keep in mind that any bariatric surgery will require a commitment to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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