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Obesity surgery central coast – Dr Ken Wong

Posted on 21 Sep, 2010

I always find it difficult to advise patients when asked to choose between lap band, gastric band versus sleeve gastrectomy surgery. In the end, I consider several factors:

Diabetes

For diabetics, I often recommend the sleeve gastrectomy as it resolves this condition very rapidly. I have encountered patients who have been able to stop using their insulin one month after sleeve gastrectomy. This is despite them having been on it for over 20 years.

Males

This is another factor for choosing the sleeve gastrectomy. We know that males have a lower success rate with gastric bands and lap bands.

Personality

Patients who are unlikely to want to return for intensive monthly follow-ups are much better suited for the sleeve gastrectomy. For the gastric band to work, there is a very intensive regime of follow-up required for weight loss success.

Patients who are unlikely to want to return for intensive monthly follow-ups are much better suited for the sleeve gastrectomy. For the gastric band to work, there is a very intensive regime of follow-up required for weight loss success.

Generally, I would now reserve the gastric band / lap band for lighter females, BMI 35 to 40 who are agreeable to follow up and do not have significant other medical conditions.

At the end of the day, the choice of operation is a very individual thing and must be tailored for each individual. That is why I encourage anyone who is interested in weight loss surgery to come in for a detailed but friendly chat. Contact our weight loss surgery in Australia today to book your consultation.