Lap Band vs Gastric Bypass Surgery

Comparing and Contrasting Gastric Bypass Surgery and Lap Band Surgery

Amber Whitlock

COM/155

April 7, 2013

Janet Levy

Comparing and Contrasting Gastric Bypass Surgery and Lap Band Surgery

The oldest type of weight loss surgery is gastric bypass surgery with over 30 years of use and impressive weight loss results. (Fight against obesity, 2010) A newer and less invasive procedure, lap band surgery, is growing in popularity because of its comparable long term weight loss with less risk. (Fight against obesity, 2010) Gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery are the two most common weight loss surgical procedures, although they are different, they are both successful in the weight loss process. Many patients are interested in comparing gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. (Fight against obesity, 2010) This essay will give a general overview of these two popular weight loss procedures, it should not however take the place of a consultation with your doctor to discuss your health and determine which procedure is the best fit for you.

Gastric bypass surgery divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower pouch and then re-arranges the small intestine to connect to both. Surgeons have developed several different ways to reconnect the intestine, thus leading to several different gastric bypass surgery names. (Wikipedia, 2009) Any gastric bypass surgery leads to a marked reduction in the function volume of the stomach, accompanied by an altered physiological and physical response to food. (Wikipedia, 2009) A lap band is an inflatable silicone divice placed around the top portion of the stomach to treat obesity, intended to slow consumption of food and thus the amount of food consumed. (Wikipedia, 2013) Both surgeries are designed for obese patients with a body mass index of 40 or greater.

The lap bands approach to weight loss is restrictive. Gastric bypass approach is restrictive-malabsorbtive. Both limit the amount of food that can...