If you have made the decision to lose weight to improve your health, you are probably finding that there are several different types of bariatric surgery to choose from. It can be frustrating to try to know which one to choose. The least invasive option is the lap band, and the most commonly performed is the gastric sleeve. But which would be better when comparing the lap band vs. the gastric sleeve?
This article will explain the difference between the lap band and the gastric sleeve and give you an overview of what each surgery involves, how they work, and the weight loss potential of each. We will also present a list of gastric sleeve vs. lap band pros and cons. This information should allow you to have a productive and more informed conversation with the bariatric surgeon as you determine the medical intervention that would work best for you.
What Is the Lap Band?
Lap band surgery has been performed for over 30 years in different parts of the world and for over two decades in the United States. Over the years, the tools and technique have been refined and improved and may be a good choice for someone who is looking for a procedure that can be reversed if needed.
It involves placing an adjustable saline-filled silicone band around the top part of your stomach, which creates a small pouch that will now serve as your stomach and will hold the food you eat. Because this pouch is significantly smaller, you will feel full faster and will only be able to eat very small portions at each meal. The band is connected by a tube to a small port under your skin. Doctors can use this port to tighten or loosen the band after surgery by adding or removing saline, which will adjust the amount of food that can pass through.
The surgery is usually done laparoscopically using small incisions and is normally an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. The band can be removed if needed because there are no permanent physical alterations made to your stomach with the lap band vs. the gastric sleeve, which involves cutting and stapling. When the band is removed, the stomach will return to its normal shape.
How It Works
A lap band helps you lose weight by limiting how much food you can eat at one time and slowing how fast you can eat. The soft silicone band that is placed around the upper part of the stomach makes a small pouch that fills up quickly, so you feel full after eating very small food portions. The band also slows down the movement of the food into the rest of your stomach, which helps you feel full much longer, and you consume fewer calories and lose weight.
What Is the Gastric Sleeve?
Gastric sleeve surgery is the most performed form of bariatric surgery and involves cutting out and permanently removing a large section of the stomach. The part that is left is stapled into a smaller tubular shape that looks a bit like a banana or a small sleeve. In addition to significantly reducing the size of your stomach, gastric sleeve surgery also lowers the levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, which can help reduce your appetite and make it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan.
How It Works
Gastric sleeve surgery helps you lose weight by permanently reducing the size of your stomach by about 80%. You are only able to eat very small amounts of food, and your smaller stomach digests food much more slowly, so you stay satisfied longer. One of the key differences when comparing gastric sleeve vs. lap band is that during sleeve surgery, a major portion of the tissue that makes and releases the “hunger hormone” ghrelin is removed, which helps decrease your appetite. Eating very small portions that keep you feeling full for a longer time and having the added appetite control can help you lose a significant amount of weight.
Lap Band vs. Gastric Sleeve Overview
Below is a side-by-side comparison chart that outlines the differences between the lap band and the gastric sleeve.
| Lap Band | Gastric Sleeve | |
|---|---|---|
| Reversible | Yes | No |
| Stomach Tissue Removed | No | Yes |
| Requires Adjustments | Yes | No |
| Typical Weight Loss | Average excess weight loss is 40% in 12 months. | Average excess weight loss is about 65% in 12 months. |
| Hormone-Driven Appetite Reduction | No | Yes |
| Recovery | 5 to 7 days | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Long-Term Stability | Less stable. Lap bands can shift or require adjustments or removal. | More stable. No device is left inside, and when the stomach heals, the results are consistent long-term. |
Gastric Sleeve vs. Lap Band Pros and Cons
Here is a comparison of gastric sleeve vs. lap band pros and cons to help you learn more about each procedure.
| Lap Band | Gastric Sleeve |
|---|---|
| Lap band is less invasive since the stomach is not excised or stapled. | Gastric sleeve offers more significant and faster weight loss in most patients. Many people lose 65% of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. |
| Lap band is reversible and can be adjusted or removed if necessary. | It offers better appetite control because of the reduction of ghrelin production after surgery. |
| Offers reduced risk of surgical complications because it requires only two incisions. | Many patients with diabetes and hypertension no longer required medications to control these chronic conditions 12 months after gastric sleeve surgery. |
| Lap band surgery can help patients lose around 40% of their excess weight. | There is no implant or device inside the body that can cause long-term problems. |
| Recovery is faster than with the gastric sleeve. |
| Lap Band | Gastric Sleeve |
|---|---|
| Many patients need to have their bands adjusted frequently. | It is not reversible. Once stomach tissue is removed, it cannot be replaced. |
| Weight loss is slower and not as substantial as with gastric sleeve surgery. | Gastric sleeve surgery is more invasive and comes with a longer recovery time and a higher risk for complications. |
| Long-term complications occur in about 20% of patients, with some experiencing issues like bands that slip or erode into the stomach or cause obstructions, which can require surgery to correct. | Some patients develop acid reflux or heartburn after the procedure. |
| Since the stomach is not changed, liquid calories and soft foods are not really restricted, which makes it easier to consume more calories than you should. | Consistently overeating can reverse the restriction initially created and can return your stomach almost to its pre-surgery capacity. |
| Many bariatric centers now do not offer the lap band. | There is a rare risk of developing a serious leak if the staple line in your stomach is compromised. |
Lap Band vs. Gastric Sleeve Expected Weight Loss
One of the biggest questions we get about the difference between the lap band vs. the gastric sleeve is about the weight loss potential of each.
- Most studies report that lap band patients lose an average of 45% of their excess weight in a year, but they lose it more slowly and less predictably.
- Gastric sleeve patients usually lose a higher percentage of excess body weight, between 60 and 70 percent, in the first 12 to 18 months after surgery.
If you are comparing lap band vs. gastric sleeve, the main differences come down to the way they work, the weight loss potential they offer, and if your schedule provides you the time for recovery.
Where Can I Learn More About Bariatric Surgery In Atlanta?
The knowledgeable team at the Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute is here to help you determine the best medical intervention to achieve real and lasting weight loss results.
Everyone is different, and your personal weight loss results will depend on things like your starting weight, how closely you follow your nutrition and exercise plans, and any underlying conditions you may have. Dr. Williams and Dr. Curtis will look at your medical and weight loss history and talk with you about your goals and explain your options. Then the team of experts will design a plan that is tailored to your needs and circumstances that will help you achieve sustainable weight loss.
The lap band is less invasive and reversible, but it is less effective for many people and has a higher chance of long-term problems. Gastric sleeve surgery offers better and more lasting weight loss results without the risk for device-related issues, but it is permanent and requires a very strong commitment to making lasting lifestyle changes. Set up a consultation today with the experts at the Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute and learn more about the options available to you and how we can guide you through the risks, benefits, and what to expect from each, so you can make a choice that fits your individual needs.
