Gastric Bypass Surgery Vs. Lap Band

Bariatric, or weight loss, surgery, can help obese people quickly lose weight -- heightening self-esteem and easing serious medical conditions associated with excess weight such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and sleep apnea. Gastric bypass and gastric banding surgeries are two popular types of weight loss surgery, and each procedure has its pros and cons.

Bypass

• Most gastric bypass surgeries are Roux-en-Y bypasses, in which a surgeon cuts the stomach into two parts and attaches the upper, smaller part directly to the small intestine. The smaller stomach can hold less food, restricting the amount of food you eat, and can also absorb less calories.

Considerations

• Gastric bypass causes quick weight loss and the weight loss usually stays off. However, since you have less ability to absorb food, you're at risk of vitamin deficiency if you don't eat correctly, and if you eat sugary or high-carbohydrate foods, you'll experience "dumping" (gastrointestinal distress and weakness). The process is irreversible.

Banding

• In gastric banding, a surgeon places a band around your stomach. This makes your stomach smaller and forces you to eat less (food must also be soft before it is swallowed).

Considerations

• Unlike bypass surgery, gastric banding is reversible, and the surgery involved is less invasive. However, weight loss is slower than with bypass surgery and you are more likely to put weight back on.

Similiarities

• With both bypass surgery and gastric banding, patients must adjust their diets and exercise after the procedure.