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Not so long ago, Lap Band surgery was a popular form of weight loss procedure up and, if you’re reading this, it’s possible you’ve already had it. This operation, which is still performed today, places a removable device around the top portion of a patient’s stomach to limit food intake by making overeating uncomfortable.
Due to lower success rates compared to other forms of bariatric surgery, however, Lap Band usage has decreased. It now comprises less than three percent of all bariatric operations as of 2017, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Other procedures have become far more popular for two reasons: weight loss that many patients found insufficient and a larger number of short and long-term complications. A small majority of patients remove Lap Bands within seven to 10 years.
Insufficient weight loss – Initial weight loss is usually satisfactory in patients with a band. However, many patients do regain some or all of their lost weight over time and most doctors will recommend removal if weight loss is below 25 or 30 percent. This is by far the most common reason patients opt to remove their Lap Band.
The band moves from its intended location – In some cases, additional space may be created above the band that limits its effectiveness. In extreme cases, this can require emergency surgery, either moving the band back into place or removing it entirely.
Heartburn/acid reflux – Acid reflux may flare up after Lap Band surgery. If this condition is severe or too frequent and medication does not help, the band will be removed. Frequent heartburn can also lead to an inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis); which can also necessitate removal of the band.
Severe Digestive Issues – Patients may become nauseous and start to vomit several times a day in addition to experiencing difficulties when swallowing. Individuals can also become intolerant to the band itself.
Erosion of the Band/infection – Though the problem is rare, Lap Bands have sometimes eroded inside patients, leading to what is called a port infection. If the infection is unresponsive or resistant to antibiotic medications and treatment, the band must be removed.
Dilation of the Esophagus – Because the entrance to the stomach is restricted by the Lap Band, food may get lodged in the esophagus. Over time, this can lead to dilation, or expansion, of the patient’s esophagus.
Other Damage to the Esophagus – Like esophageal dilation, it is also possible for the esophagus to become immobile, a condition called esophageal dysmotility. This can require the removal of fluid from the patient’s esophagus as well as the removal of the Lap Band itself.
If it becomes necessary or desirable to remove a patient’s Lap Band, the patient can still opt for some very powerful options. Sleeve gastrectomy surgery has been proven to be highly successful for most patients and it has become by far the most popular option for patients who are determined to defeat obesity. We’ve performed these procedures countless times at Dr. Feiz & Associates, and we’ve seen consistently outstanding results.
Converting a Lap Band into a sleeve gastrectomy typically ends complications for the patient. Indeed, complications from sleeve gastrectomy operations are so low they are essentially negligible. Patients who switch to a sleeve procedure experience much higher rates of significant and sustained weight loss as well; possibly due to the fact the production of a substance called ghrelin is reduced following the procedure. This hormone is associated with persistent feelings of hunger and failed weight loss attempts, since the body may actually increase ghrelin production when an individual begins to lose weight, making permanent weight loss next to impossible for most obese people.
Patients frequently report reduced sensations of hunger after sleeve operations and some say they have helped them to radically alter the way they look at food. Overall, patients who convert their Lap Band to a sleeve gastrectomy report experience real improvements in their health and quality of life.
Please note: both surgeries are well regarded in the medical community and may be used when appropriate. All patients are different, so it’s important to work closely with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand your choice of a procedure.
For most patients in Los Angeles and around the world, the sleeve gastrectomy surgery is the best option for weight loss surgery and it has been proven to be safe and highly effective in studies conducted over many years. The reason for this comes down to relatively recent developments in the field of bariatric medicine – and one little hormone called ghrelin.
Obese individuals who attempt to lose weight nearly always fall into the pattern of enjoying some level of initial success followed by rapid weight gain. This is not due to some defect in the individuals’ personalities or low willpower. Instead, the body’s own digestive and nervous system is to blame as the human body tries to maintain its current weight as a means of avoiding starvation—regardless of whether or not that is an actual threat.
The digestive system’s main response to weight loss may be the production of more ghrelin. Also known as the hunger hormone, normal levels of ghrelin regulate feelings of hunger. Not surprisingly, individuals who are overweight typically have higher levels of ghrelin. Moreover, ghrelin levels actually increase as excess weight is lost because the body is attempting to return to its original state. In a less prosperous time and place, this function was likely imperative for human survival, as it encouraged people to eat enough so as to store extra calories as fat to be ready for an all-too-possible famine; however, now our bodies’ hormonal response to even a fairly small weight loss has proven downright deadly for many of us.
This is where a sleeve gastrectomy comes into play. This operation removes the same stomach portions that are thought to be responsible for ghrelin production in the body. So, not only does a sleeve gastrectomy make overeating unpleasant, the incessant hunger pangs that accompany weight loss are substantially dulled. The operation is not a cure-all, of course, and the patient must still make an effort to live a healthier lifestyle, but permanent and significant weight loss is made much more achievable.
Los Angeles area residents and others who are severely obese and attempting to lose weight with little long-term success are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Feiz & Associates.
