Month: January 2022

When choosing the right weight-loss surgery option for you, it’s important to consider not only the short-term results but the long-term success, as well. With bariatric procedures like the gastric sleeve, rapid weight-loss occurs in the months immediately following recovery, but that isn’t always indicative of lasting success. On the other hand, with the Lap-Band® procedure, healthy weight loss occurs at a slower, more gradual rate, which actually offers some unique advantages for patients. 

In this article, we’ll examine how the long-term weight-loss success of the Lap-Band compares to that of the gastric sleeve, which may provide insight on which procedure is right for you.

Research on the 10-year success of the Lap-Band

The 2021 study “Ten‑Year Results of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Retrospective

Matched Comparison with Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding—Is There a Significant Difference in Long Term?” aims to compare the success rates of the gastric sleeve with the Lap-Band. During the study, Lap-Band patients were matched to a gastric sleeve patient with a corresponding age, sex, and BMI. Their weight-loss success was examined at one year, five years, and 10 years after their surgery. 

Weight-loss success

When it comes to short term weight loss, the group of patients that received the gastric sleeve procedure showed faster and more dramatic weight loss at the one year and five-year marks. However, after 10 years, research shows weight-loss and conversion rates were comparable for both groups. Simply put, the long-term success of the gastric sleeve and of the Lap-Band procedure are about the same. 

Why is Lap-Band right for me? 

So, if the gastric sleeve and the Lap-Band have similar 10-year success rates, which is the right surgery? Choosing a bariatric procedure is a deeply personal choice that will depend greatly on your unique situation and health requirements, however the Lap-Band does offer several distinct advantages over the gastric sleeve.  

Adjustable

As your needs change, the Lap-Band changes with you. Via a port beneath the skin, the Lap-Band can be tightened or loosened as your body or your physical needs change over time.  This means it can even be adjusted for pregnancy.

No partial amputation

Unlike the gastric sleeve, the Lap-Band procedure doesn’t involve any cutting of the stomach or rerouting of your organs. If for any reason your Lap-Band needs to be removed, it is easily reversible.

Non-malabsorptive

Because the Lap-Band does not remove or reroute internal organs, it’s considered a non-malabsorptive surgery. The gastric sleeve is a malabsorptive surgery, meaning the body may struggle to get the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, risking vitamin and mineral deficiencies. While patients who receive the gastric sleeve procedure often require extensive supplement routines, the only supplement typically recommended after the Lap-Band procedure is a daily multivitamin that meets or exceeds current American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery guidelines.

Faster recovery

For patients who receive the minimally invasive Lap-Band surgery, recovery time is shorter than the gastric sleeve procedure. The procedure is typically performed in less than an hour, and you can usually return home the same day, with a shorter recovery time than more invasive bariatric procedures.

If you decide the Lap-Band is the right surgical weight-loss option for you, there are numerous surgeons across the country that are ready to help you take control of your weight loss. Visit the Lap-Band website for more information and find more articles about Lap-Band success on our blog.

For those considering a bariatric procedure like the Lap-Band® surgery, loose skin is a common concern. While usually a cosmetic preference, loose skin can also cause health problems, like chaffing, rashes, and, in extreme cases, infection. The idea of developing loose skin might be discouraging for some patients, but whether you develop loose skin during your weight-loss journey is partially dependent on the bariatric procedure you choose.

What causes loose skin after bariatric surgery? 

When you gain weight, your skin stretches out to accommodate. During rapid weight loss, there is less fat to fill out the skin, which can result in sagging skin. Some post-bariatric surgery patients opt to have plastic surgery to remove their excess skin through a process called body contouring. However, they’re encouraged to wait at least a year after they’ve lost most of their weight, which allows the skin time to tighten naturally.

Why Lap-Band is different

During the Lap-Band procedure, an adjustable silicone band is placed around the stomach that can be tightened or loosened as your body or your physical needs change over time, helping to limit your food intake and promote your feeling of fullness. Post-surgery, Lap-Band patients lose weight gradually. Procedures like the gastric bypass result in rapid weight loss shortly after surgery, increasing the likelihood of excess skin. Because weight-loss is sustained over a longer period of time with the Lap-Band, there’s a lower chance of developing loose skin.

With the Lap-Band procedure, you may not experience loose skin, but it depends on other factors, as well. Your age helps determine your skin’s elasticity, which decreases as you get older. Your skin’s health also plays a role, as does the amount of weight you lose—more weight loss means a greater chance of excess skin.  

Preventing loose skin after Lap-Band surgery 

There are a few things you can do throughout your weight-loss journey to help discourage loose skin. First, focus on maintaining gradual weight loss to give your skin time to adjust. Post-surgery, your weight-loss team carefully designs your diet and exercise plan for healthy weight-loss, so be sure to follow your plan closely. Don’t over restrict your calories or over-exercise—aim for the healthy rate of losing 1-2lbs a week.

Second, emphasize skin health throughout your weight-loss journey. Proper hydration is important after Lap-Band surgery and drinking plenty of water also helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. Choose healthy foods that promote healthy skin, like fish and avocados, which contain healthy and beneficial fats. Other ways to prioritize skin health include wearing daily sunscreen, quitting smoking, and getting enough sleep.

Lastly, don’t neglect strength training in your exercise routine post-surgery. Building muscle helps fill out excess skin. Because the Lap-Band surgery is minimally invasive, it allows patients to recover and begin exercising quickly after surgery, but always check with your surgeon before you start strength training.

If you do have loose skin after Lap-Band surgery, plastic surgery is still an option. However, like other bariatric procedures, you should wait at least one year after you’ve lost much of your weight to decide if excess skin removal is right for you. To a certain extent, your skin will firm up naturally, but if you’re not satisfied with the results after a year, plastic surgery may be the right choice for you. It’s important to know that because body contouring is largely considered a cosmetic procedure, your insurance might not cover it unless the excess skin poses health risks.

If you’re looking for a weight-loss procedure that reduces your chance of loose skin, the Lap-Band may be right for you. Learn if you’re qualified by visiting our website, or find a surgeon in your area and take control of your weight loss today!