Gastric Banding Procedure & Sleeve Gastrectomy

A summary of differences between adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy

Gastric Banding Procedure

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Procedural differences?

The adjustable Gastric Banding Procedure uses a restrictive device and requires no cutting, stapling, or removal of any part of the existing stomach.
Instead, a band is placed around the stomach to limit the amount of food it can hold.

Requires stomach cutting and stapling to create a small sleeve shaped stomach, about the size of a banana
The larger part of the stomach is permanently removed.

Is the procedure adjustable?

Can be quickly, easily, and non-surgically adjusted to affect weight loss results during a brief visit to the doctor’s office.

Adjustment is not possible.

Is the procedure reversible?

Adjustable Gastric Banding can be reversed with the stomach returning to its original shape.

Due to stomach cutting and removal this procedure is considered permanent and cannot be reversed.

Are the results long term?

Adjustable gastric banding has been shown to significantly reduce excess weight.

Patients have shown maintenance of their weight loss 3-8 years after their surgery.

Sleeve gastrectomy has been shown to significantly reduce excess weight, at least in the short term.

There is limited long-term data with most recent studies only providing results at 1- to 2-years follow-up.

What are the risks?

Mortality rate: 0.05%
Total complications: 9%
Major complications: 0.2%
Complications can include:
- Acid reflux and vomiting
- Band slippage
- Stoma obstruction
- Click here for more information on risks

Risk of possible staple-line leakage
Mortality rate: <1%
Major complications: 2.9%
Complications can include:
- Gastric remnant dilation
- Suture line bleeding, leakage and gastric strictures
- Risk of gastric reflux