What is the difference between the lap band procedure and gastric bypass surgeries ?Which is safer ?

Answer 1

Lap band is where a rubber band type item is placed around your stomach and then tightened so that only a small amount of food will fit. Gastric bypas is where your stomach is actually cut so you end up with a stomach that initially will hold about 1 oz. of food or liquid. It is then routed to your large intestine bypassing your small intestine. Both options have many risks. People have expired having both done and yet the number of successes is higher then the rate of death so it is very popular. With the lap band, down the road you can have it removed and be back to normal. With G.B, it is a permenent fix. My concern is it is an easy out if you are fat, but if you don't change your eating and exercise habits then you are very likely to regain weight down the road. I've heard of people having bypass done then not following any sensible eating plan and had to have another bypass because they stretched out their little pouch. My brother in law had GB done and lost like 150 lbs in the first 6 months. He has since reached a plateau and is much healthier now then he was a few years ago. But with such a rapid weight loss you end up with a lot of excess (stretched out) skin, and most people will need cosmetic surgery to remove all that excess.

Answer 2

Any time you are put under anesthesia you are at risk.

In gastric by pass surgery, which can be done laproscopically, if the surgeon is skilled enough. The stomach pouch is is reduced in size to about the size of walnut, or with my surgery the size of magic marker. Then about six feet down your intestine the intestine is cut, the distal end is reconnected to the new small pouch and the other end of the intestine is splice back into the small intestine. lower than the stomach pouch.

With the Lap Band, it is a device that is secured around the upper part of the stomach. To this band is attached a port that is placed under the skin in your midriff. This is usually done laproscopically as well. After you heal from the surgery your doctor will use the port to to fill the band with sterile saline. This further restricts how fast the upper pouch passes food to the lower pouch.

Pros and Cons.

With a gastric by pass you are at risk for malnutrition, iron deficiency, dehydration, because many of your vitamins are processed by your body in the upper part of your intestine you may have supplement your diet with vitamins.

Since nothing is bypassed in the lap band surgery, you are not at risk for malnutrition nor iron deficiency.

The lap band came out about the time I had my surgery. If I was to do it again today, i would go the route of the lap band.

Answer 3

the lap band they just put the band around your stomach to decrease the size of meals you can intake. with gastric bypass, they surgically remove some stomach and small intestine so your meals are smaller, and less is removed. The lap band is safer because it is less invasive, and can later on be undone. Gastric bypass is for life.

Answer 4

Lap band can be adjusted - MUCH safer for several reasons, and it can be REMOVED. Bypass is serious surgery, and cannot be reversed. The band is a "procedure" - bypass is SURGERY - in any case for any reason, surgery should ALWAYS be the LAST consideration.

Answer 5

Gastric bypass involves:

* Complex operation, multiple areas of abdomen involved
* Rapid weight loss over 3-6 months, settling at final weight 10-16 months after surgery
* Deficiency in mineral absorption, requiring long-term supplements
* Dumping syndrome (intolerance to sugars and some carbohydrates)
* Not reversible
* No significant hardware in body

Lap Band procedure:

* Simpler operation, gives lower risk around surgery (less chance of death or prolonged hospitalization)
* Slow and steady weight loss, settling at final weight around 2 years after surgery
* Possible deficiencies due to decreased intake, long-term supplements also recommended
* No Dumping syndrome
* Reversible
* Long term (non-reactive) plastic material in body
* The LAP-BAND must be adjusted for best success

**Certain insurance companies will only pay for certain procedures, or
**Certain medical conditions are contra-indicated with certain procedures

Answer 6

Both processes are not as effective for long term weight loss as joining Weight Watchers and starting a regular workout routine. But of the two, the band is definitely safer.

Answer 7

lap band is adjustable and can be removed. Far safer

Answer 8

You may find your answers here: http://www.healthbase.com/resources/bariatrics

Hope this helps..