Gastric Sleeve Surgery vs Gastric Balloon Procedure
For many people, losing weight through diet and exercise might be a disappointing and unpleasant experience. This is because they may be unable to provide the desired results alone and may look for alternative options like bariatric surgeries.
The gastric sleeve and gastric balloon are two different weight loss treatments that have helped many people to gain long-lasting weight loss. Though they have some similarities, one is a surgical procedure and the other is non-surgical. They differ in a few other ways as well; one may be more effective for some people than the other.
Learning more about these treatment options can assist you in making an informed choice, especially if you are in the beginning stages of considering your options. For more detailed information or if you are ready to undergo weight loss surgery, schedule your appointment with Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is a bariatric procedure, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, that involves removing a portion of your stomach and making it smaller so that it looks like a banana in shape and size. The size of the stomach is reduced physically, which limits the amount of food you can consume at a time.
During the surgery, the surgeon will make a few small incisions in the abdomen to insert surgical tools. The laparoscope (an instrument with a light-headed camera) is the main one, as it guides the surgeon to view the inside and reduces the stomach size to around 25% of its original size. This is a permanent procedure that cannot be reversed.
The stomach becomes smaller, which means you feel full faster and can control how much food you eat. The levels of the ghrelin hormone, related to hunger and produced in the stomach, decrease after the surgery. This eventually helps reduce cravings and hunger.
Gastric Balloon Procedure
The gastric balloon is a new and advanced non-surgical weight loss procedure that involves inserting one balloon into the patient’s stomach through their mouth. This procedure looks like swallowing a pill, and the level of risk is low. Moreover, it is a reversible procedure; the balloons will be removed after their time period (six months later) is over.
The procedure involves placing a deflated silicone balloon (which looks like a pill) gently into the patient’s stomach through an endoscopic procedure. Once the balloon is in place, it is inflated or filled with saline solution, which expands its size and occupies about ¾ of the stomach’s available capacity.
This helps the patients feel fuller even with smaller amounts of food, which eventually helps them lose weight. The integrated portion control feature helps you establish healthy diet habits, assuring that you can maintain your weight loss even after removing the balloon.
Gastric sleeve vs. Gastric balloon: Who are the candidates?
These procedures work differently for different people. People may qualify for one or both procedures. However, after evaluating the patient’s health and medical history, the surgeon will discuss with you and collaboratively design a proper patient care plan.
Patients with a BMI of 40 and over can achieve a good amount of weight loss with the gastric sleeve procedure. Patients with a BMI of 35 and over along with obesity-related conditions are also eligible for gastric sleeve. Patients with a BMI of 35 and over may also opt for a gastric balloon procedure, but the results might not be as expected.
People with a BMI of 27 and over can opt for a gastric balloon procedure, as it is good enough to achieve decent weight loss for this group of people. People who want to lose weight naturally can also opt for this procedure. The gastric balloon is a weight loss option for people who have had few weight loss options besides diet and exercise.
Whatever the procedure might be, one should be healthy enough to undergo surgery and must have the commitment to weight loss.
Gastric sleeve vs. Gastric balloon: Pros and cons
Gastric sleeve Pros:
- More weight loss
- More efficient in reducing or getting rid of health issues related to obesity
- Faster weight loss results
- Long-term weight management
Gastric sleeve Cons
- The risk of complications is high compared to gastric balloons.
- Permanent procedure
Gastric balloon Pros
- Less invasive (performed through an endoscopic procedure)
- Temporary procedure and it can be reversed if necessary
- Patients with lower BMI can also undergo this procedure
- Low-cost procedure
- This procedure is quick, as it takes less than 30 minutes, whereas gastric sleeve takes around 100 minutes
- Quicker recovery
- The risk of complications is very low
Gastric balloon Cons
- Weight loss might be low and slow
- Less effect on reducing obesity-related conditions
- Might not be covered by insurance
The gastric sleeve results in more weight loss compared to the gastric balloon procedure. The gastric balloon is best suited for people who desire to lose between 10 and 15 kg; those who want to lose more weight should think about undergoing a gastric sleeve instead. The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is not simple because it depends on many factors like your BMI, the amount of weight you want to lose, overall health, personal goals, etc. The gastric sleeve and gastric balloon procedures are the best weight loss options for many people. However, if you want to know about other bariatric procedures like gastric bypass, gastric band, and duodenal switch, consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad. He can help with your weight loss journey. Call +91 91777-77715 to book an appointment with the surgeon.
