If you’ve been considering weight-loss surgery, you’ll have noticed by now that there is more than one route to achieve your desired results. Both Lap-Band® and gastric sleeves are standard solutions for long-term weight loss, but how do you figure out which option is best for you? When deciding between gastric sleeves and the Lap-Band, it’s best to look at the big picture. You want to examine not just the short-term success of the surgery but how it will impact your life in the long run.
Comparing Lap-Band® and Gastric Sleeves
There are many similarities between the two procedures. In both operations, a surgeon alters the size of the stomach so that it will hold less food, leading to weight loss and better physical and mental health. With bariatric procedures like the gastric sleeve, patients tend to lose weight rapidly in the months following their surgery, but this isn’t always indicative of long-term success. On the other hand, weight loss occurs slower with the Lap-Band, but patients will experience unique advantages over time.
Long-Term Weight Loss Success: A 10-Year Study
Study Overview
A study carried out over a 10-year period proved insightful in determining the long-term success of each surgery. Those who participated in the study had their weight-loss journey examined one year, five years, and ten years post-surgery.
Results
The study found that participants with a gastric sleeve had more rapid and significant weight loss at the one- and five-year marks. However, at the ten-year mark, the research found that weight-loss results were comparable between both groups. This means that the long-term success of the gastric sleeve and the Lap-Band procedure is about the same.
Is Lap-Band Surgery Right for Me?
As the long-term success of a Lap-Band and the gastric sleeve is the same, it can be challenging to determine which route to take. Your decision will likely come from your personal circumstances and health requirements. The gastric sleeve may be the more appealing route as you see results faster, but it’s essential to understand that Lap-Bands offer many unique advantages. Let’s take a look at some of them.
The benefits of getting a Lap-Band®
Adjusts to your body’s needs
Change within our bodies is constant. The Lap-Band adjusts to these changes as they happen. Unlike gastric sleeves, the Lap-Band can be easily tightened or loosened via a port under the skin. This means it can be loosened during pregnancy, allowing for more significant portions of food if needed.
Less Invasive Procedure
During the procedure, no stomach cutting or rerouting of the organs occurs. A gastric sleeve procedure removes around 80% of the stomach. The Lap-Band is also not permanent – if you change your mind later down the line, the surgery is easily reversible. The Lap-Band is the only bariatric surgery that’s reversible.
No Negative Effects on Vitamin Absorption
A gastric sleeve is considered a malabsorptive surgery. When the intestines are shortened during the procedure, it results in fewer nutrients being absorbed by the body. Patients who undergo a gastric sleeve often require an extensive supplement routine. Lap-Band patients are not at risk of malabsorption, and any nutrient deficiencies from eating smaller meals can be amended with a multivitamin.
Faster Recovery Rate
Lap-Band surgery generally takes less than an hour, and most patients are in and out of the hospital on the same day. The procedure is minimally invasive, with a surgeon making between one to five minor surgical cuts in the abdomen. Many patients can return to their regular daily routine a couple of days after surgery. After six weeks, patients can resume a normal, balanced diet. Overall, Lap-Band surgery has a much faster recovery time than more invasive bariatric procedures.
Long-Term Benefits of Lap-Band® Surgery in Ireland
Lap-Band procedures offer the same fantastic health benefits as the more invasive gastric sleeve approach to weight loss. Apart from altering a person’s physical appearance and helping their self-esteem, the benefits of the Lap-Band on the body include:
- Long-term remission for type 2 diabetes
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Relief of depression
- Elimination of obstructive sleep apnea
- Joint-pain relief
- Improved fertility
- Prevention of pregnancy complications
Making an Informed Decision
Understanding the Differences
Hopefully, you now understand the differences between the Lap-Band and gastric sleeves and are in a better position to decide what’s best for your body. Both procedures offer effective long-term weight loss, but they cater to different needs and circumstances.
Consulting with Experts
If you decide the Lap-Band is the right surgical weight-loss option for you, then the team at Auralia would love to help. You’ll be in good hands under the care of our experienced team who have many years of experience performing bariatric surgery in Ireland. Get in touch with our team today to book a consultation.
