If you are tired of trying to lose weight on your own and are looking for some type of medical intervention, you may have come across different types of bariatric surgeries. It can be confusing trying to figure out if surgery is the right choice for you, and if so, which one will help you reach your weight loss goals. Also, you may not know this, but today there are options for help that do not require surgery.

Today, we are going to give you an overview and comparison of gastric sleeve vs lap band surgeries, including the qualifications for each and some advantages and disadvantages. Next, we will tell you about a procedure that provides similar results to gastric sleeve but is done without any incisions or a hospital stay.

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How Does Bariatric Surgery Help With Weight Loss?

Bariatric surgeries vary in technique and the requirements that candidates must meet, but they all basically work the same. They either limit the amount of food that can be eaten during one meal, or in addition to reducing the intake of food, they also prevent the body from absorbing all the calories and nutrients from the food consumed.

Gastric sleeve and lap band surgery reduce the stomach size, limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, and the same is true with gastric bypass and duodenal switch surgery, but they also have the added restriction of limiting the absorption of calories.

A Comparison Between Gastric Sleeve vs Lap Band

Both gastric sleeve and lap band surgeries result in changes being made to the stomach to reduce its usable capacity. The main difference between the two is the technique used to create the reduction in size.

Gastric Sleeve

This is the most popular form of weight loss surgery performed in the United States, with over 150,000 completed each year. During gastric sleeve surgery, around 75% to 80% of the patient's stomach is cut off and removed.

The section of the stomach that remains is shaped into a small pouch-like tube and stapled together, leaving only a small amount of room to hold food. The surgery helps individuals lose weight by forcing portion control, and their smaller stomach takes longer to empty, so they feel full for a longer time. Gastric sleeve surgery is not reversible and typically requires a hospital stay and a recovery time of between four and six weeks.

Lap Band

This surgery is also known as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and is designed to help individuals lose weight by limiting food intake. It involves the placement of a small silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch at the top, which can only hold a very small amount of solid food.

The food slowly makes its way from the upper portion of the stomach to the lower portion, which prolongs the feeling of fullness and the desire to eat between meals. The band can be adjusted to increase or decrease restriction based on the patient's needs and weight loss progress. Unlike some other bariatric procedures, lap band surgery is reversible.

Typically, patients stay overnight in the hospital, and recovery times can vary from two to four weeks.

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Chart: Advantages And Disadvantages of Lap Band vs Sleeve

<div class="table-wrapper"><table class="iksweb"><tbody><tr><th>Gastric Sleeve</th><th>Lap Band</th></tr><tr><th colspan="2">Advantages</th></tr><tr><td><ol><li>The section of the stomach that was eliminated is where ghrelin is made. This hormone is what makes you feel hungry. Eliminating feelings of hunger is helpful when trying to lose weight.</li><li>Patients with chronic metabolic conditions saw major improvements after losing weight with gastric sleeve.</li><li>Gastric sleeve vs lap band is more effective in helping individuals lose weight, averaging between 50% and 70% of their excess weight.</li><li>The # 1 most performed weight-loss surgery in the U.S.</li></ol></td><td><ol><li>The procedure is not permanent and can be reversed, adjusted, or removed if needed.</li><li>During lap band surgery, only two incisions are made, so there are fewer associated surgical complications.</li><li>Lap band vs sleeve delivers an average weight loss potential of around 50% of the individual’s excess weight.</li><li>The recovery time is significantly shorter.</li></ol></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2">Disadvantages</th></tr><tr><td><ol><li>Gastric sleeve is an irreversible surgery.</li><li>Gastric sleeve vs lap band is more invasive and comes with more risks, complications, and recovery time.</li><li>Almost half of the patients who undergo gastric sleeve surgery develop reflux or heartburn.</li><li>Chronic overeating can stretch out the stomach to return close to its pre-surgery size.</li><li>Gastric sleeve has a higher risk profile vs lap band, such as experiencing a gastric leak from the staple line.</li></ol></td><td><ol><li>The lap band is a tool to help reduce hunger and aid in portion control of solid foods. It does not limit calorie intake the same as gastric sleeve. Liquid calories and soft foods can quickly pass through the small opening between the two stomach parts.</li><li>Around 20% of lap band patients require additional surgery to correct band issues or a bowel obstruction.</li><li>Many patients do not see the weight loss results they expected and have the band removed to try a different bariatric surgery.</li><li>Some individuals do not wish to have a foreign device inside their body.</li><li>Lap band surgery is not often used anymore because it often returns unfavorable results and there are other procedures that are more effective. In fact, numerous studies have indicated that over half of gastric bands are taken out after 7 – 10 years due to insufficient weight loss or complications.</li></ol></td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Lap Band vs Sleeve: Which Is Better?

Gastric sleeve surgery is now considered a more effective and preferable option compared to gastric lap band surgery for most patients. Gastric lap band surgery is rarely performed anymore because of its high failure rate and underwhelming weight loss results.

Long-term studies on lap band surgery have shown that 20% of patients required additional surgery to adjust or replace the band, and some chose to undergo a different weight loss procedure. Additionally, 54% of patients had to have the band removed due to complications, and only around 11% achieved satisfactory weight loss. A significant number of patients regained the initial weight they lost or even surpassed their initial weight. When comparing the lap band vs sleeve, it is clear that it does not deliver the same weight loss potential as the gastric sleeve, with the band averaging 50% or less of the individual's excess weight.

Less Invasive Yet Effective Option - Endoscopic Sleeve

Historically, gastric sleeve surgery was seen as the least invasive and most effective form of weight loss surgery compared to other bariatric surgery options. Over the years, advancements in the bariatric field have expanded the medical intervention options for weight loss to include an endoscopic alternative to bariatric surgery.

Suture Sculpt Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is done to reduce the size of the stomach and achieves very similar results to gastric sleeve surgery. The huge difference is that ESG is performed endoscopically, with the doctor gaining access to the patient’s stomach through the throat. This eliminates the need for incisions, and no portion of the stomach is removed. The stomach is stitched from the inside into a sleeve-like shape to restrict the amount of food the individual can consume during each meal.

This outpatient procedure only takes about 45 minutes and is usually done under general anesthesia with no required hospital stay. Recovery time is lightning-fast compared to gastric sleeve surgery, as most patients are back to their regular routine in about three days with no activity restrictions.

How Is Weight Loss Potential Measured?

When researching different weight loss methods and their potential, you may see the terms “total body weight” and “excess body weight.” These terms do not mean the same thing. Here is an explanation of each.

Total Body Weight

If an individual lost 20% of their total body weight, it means they lost 20% of what they weighed when they began their weight loss program.

Excess Body Weight

If someone lost 20% of their excess body weight, this means they lost a portion of the extra pounds they would need to lose to reach a healthy weight. In other words, excess weight is the difference between what they weigh now vs their goal weight.

What Is The Weight Loss Potential Of ESG vs Sleeve?

• Gastric Sleeve decreases the usable capacity of the stomach between 75% and 80%. On average, patients usually lose between 50% and 70% of their excess body weight using a combination of the surgery and healthy lifestyle choices;
• Suture Sculpt Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty decreases the stomach’s size by around 70%. Patients usually lose between 50% and 65% of their excess body weight, but we have seen many patients surpass these percentages when they make lifestyle changes that promote weight loss.

Where Can I Find Out More About Non-Surgical Weight Loss Options?

If you are considering undergoing gastric sleeve surgery for weight loss, contact the experts at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss to find out more about Suture Sculpt ESG. It offers very similar results without all the risks or the four-to-six-week recovery of sleeve surgery.

Suture Sculpt ESG reduces the amount of food you can eat at one time, and your smaller stomach will also take longer to empty, so you will have a longer-lasting feeling of fullness. When you combine this helpful weight loss tool with a healthy diet, exercise, and other positive lifestyle changes, your weight loss potential is magnified.

Reach out to the team at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss in NYC today and set up a consultation today to learn more about Suture Sculpt ESG and other weight loss tools we offer that can help you reach your weight loss goals. When you partner with us on your weight loss journey, our professional team of experts will guide you, providing comprehensive support to help you before, during, and after your procedure. Contact us today and take the first step in your weight loss journey!

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