Lap Band vs. Gastric Bypass

BY: CRAIG THOMPSON
Category: Gastric Bypass , Gastric Bypass Pictures, Lap Band Surgery

Many patients who are suffering from obesity are not aware that there is an alternative to gastric bypass called Lap Band surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery is the typical weight loss surgery option for people whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is above 40. This translates to about 100 pounds of excess weight for men and around 80 pounds for women.

Gastric bypass is known as a “malabsorptive” procedure, because it blocks the body’s ability to absorb all of the nutrition that is present in food. Using staples, the surgeon creates a small pouch, which replaces the stomach for storing food as it is ingested.

The “bypass” portion of the surgery takes food through a shortened course through the small intestine, which is where nutrients are absorbed.

Lap Band weight loss surgery takes a different approach. Known as “restrictive” weight loss surgery, it works by using an inflatable silicone band that the surgeon places around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that receives the food as it is ingested. The remainder of the stomach is below the band and is connected to the pouch via a constricted tunnel made by the tightened band. The food from the pouch passes slowly into the lower stomach portion where normal digestion occurs.

Because the small pouch fills up quickly, the patient feels “full” when, in fact, they have only ingested a relatively small portion of food.

There are no malabsortion issues with Lap Band weight loss surgery and the need to take massive amounts of vitamins to counteract the body’s missing nutrients is not usually required.

The Lap Band is adjustable, which enables the surgeon to adjust the band to meet the precise needs of each individual patient. The band can even be readjusted by the surgeon as the patient continues to lose weight. Readjustment, of course, requires an additional surgical procedure. Many surgeons are performing the Lap Band procedure using laparoscopic surgery, which only requires small incisions, as opposed to opening up the abdominal cavity.

Expect to pay between $18,000 to $30,000 for this procedure. Medical insurance may cover some or all of the expenses, depending on the insurance company involved.

Potential Lap Band Surgery Complications

Approximately 10% to 15% of patients have reported experiencing some complications as result of the Lap Band weight loss. The most common complications from this weight loss surgery procedure include:

• Stomach Obstruction – A blockage of the channel between the bottom of the created stomach pouch and the full portion of the stomach.
• Food Intolerance – Normally caused by the Lap Band slipping from its installed position.
• Re-operation – Due to either insufficient weight loss, which requires a readjustment of the band, or some sort of mechanical malfunction of the band.

Because the Lap Band weight loss surgical procedure requires only an average 1 – 2 day hospital recover period, and patients can often return to work in 3 weeks or less, the Lap Band surgical procedure is preferred overgastric bypass for those patients for whom the procedure is indicated.