You know that you want bariatric surgery, and you’re considering between LAP-BAND^® surgery and the gastric sleeve procedure. What are the pros and cons of each? Is one safer and more effective than the other? Ultimately, which one is right for you?

The choice of gastric sleeve surgery vs LAP-BAND^® surgery is one of the most important that you will make on your weight loss journey. In this article we’ll walk through these questions together so that you can make an informed choice.

LAP-BAND^® vs Gastric Sleeve: A Detailed Comparison

The truth is that LAP-BAND^® surgery and gastric sleeve surgery are dramatically different. Each has different rates of success, rates of complications, and risks. Ultimately, our position at the BMCC, based on the medical evidence that has accrued over decades, is that only one of these procedures is truly safe.

The Dangers of LAP-BAND^® Surgery

The LAP-BAND^® procedure is designed to decrease the amount of food that you need to eat in order to feel full. The band is placed around the upper part of the stomach like a collar. The band is inflatable, and when saline is added to the band via a port, the band inflates; which creates a small stomach pouch. The goal is to reduce the effective size of your stomach, which makes you feel full after eating smaller meals. The band also slows the speed at which food empties out of your stomach pouch so that you feel full longer.

There is no anatomical rearrangement with LAP-BAND^® surgery. While some patients are drawn to the LAP-BAND^® because of this, the truth is that the LAP-BAND^® procedure is widely recognized as unsafe and ineffective.

The LAP-BAND^® procedure has a very high rate of complications. In the long term, over one-third of patients experience at least one complication. These complications, many of which are unique to the band, can include:

• band erosion (2-9% of patients)
• band infection (1-4% of patients)
• gastric band slippage (1-22% of patients)
• esophageal dilation (up to 14% of patients)
• food trapping (around 2% of patients)
• band or port leak (hardware failure in 1-4% of patients)
• port flip or inversion (up to 20% of patients)

However, the biggest danger of the LAP-BAND^® is that it leads to ineffective weight loss and even weight regain. The reported initial average weight loss is only 35-50% of excess body weight, and even this number is usually optimistic. One large study found that patients who kept their bands for 14 years only experienced an average weight loss of 15% of their excess body weight. 

Because of this, at the BMCC we do not offer LAP-BAND^® surgery. We care deeply for you and want you to succeed on your weight loss journey, and we believe that you deserve better than an unsafe and ineffective procedure.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery: A Better Choice

Gastric sleeve surgery involves removing about 85 percent of the patient’s stomach, leaving a thin tube-like sleeve roughly the diameter of your thumb. Removing most of your stomach limits the amount of food that you can eat and also helps you to feel full more quickly.

Additionally, the part of the stomach that is removed normally produces a hunger hormone called ghrelin. Ghrelin stimulates your appetite. Removing this part of the stomach reduces your body’s production of ghrelin, which reduces your appetite.

There are no further anatomical rearrangements.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a powerful weight loss solution. Most patients lose 60-80% of their excess body weight within the first year. Gastric sleeve surgery also carries a much lower risk of weight regain than LAP-BAND^® surgery.

The gastric sleeve procedure is also extremely safe. At a certified ASMBS comprehensive MBSAQIP center like the BMCC, gastric sleeve surgery is as safe as any minor outpatient surgery such as gallbladder surgery. When complications do occasionally happen, our double-board-certified bariatric surgeon is dedicated to working with the patient to address them.

Which Is Better, Gastric Sleeve Or LAP-BAND^®?

If you’re considering LAP-BAND^® vs gastric sleeve surgery, then it’s important to understand that LAP-BAND^® surgery is unsafe and ineffective. It offers low weight loss and carries a high risk of weight regain. By contrast, gastric sleeve surgery is both safe and effective. Most patients lose 60-80 percent of their unhealthy body weight and keep it off. Imagine how that would feel.

Take the Next Step On Your Weight Loss Journey

If you’re considering weight loss surgery and have other questions about gastric sleeve surgery vs LAP-BAND^® surgery and which one is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a bariatric assessment with us or just give our friendly staff a call. 

The benefits of choosing the right weight loss surgery are immense, and you deserve to enjoy them. Our gastric sleeve patients routinely say that surgery was the best decision they ever made.

“I love to work out and go for walks and ride bikes. I went on a 10 mile backpacking trip and felt great, we have run several 5k races and currently looking to run the Bolder Boulder race this Memorial day.”–Karl Romriell, gastric sleeve patient.

If you’re suffering, don’t wait. Contact our Denver office today.