Gastric Bypass Surgery vs. Lap-Band® Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB®)

Are you considering having a surgical weight loss procedure (bariatric procedure), but don’t know which one to choose? Before you make a decision, let’s examine some of the facts about two of the most popular weight loss procedures: 1) gastric bypass surgery; and 2) Lap-Band® Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB®)

Gastric Bypass Surgery
In gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) the surgeon will make your stomach smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of your stomach using surgical staples or a plastic band. The smaller stomach is then connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine.

This connection redirects the food, bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine. Food goes directly into the second section of your small intestine, limiting your ability to absorb calories.

Within the first two years of surgery, you can expect to lose 50 percent to 60 percent of your excess weight. If you closely follow dietary and exercise recommendations, you can keep most of that weight off long term.

Although gastric bypass surgery is a relatively safe procedure, all surgery comes with some risk. Potential gastric bypass surgery risks may include bleeding, blood clots, poor wound healing, infection, reactions to anesthesia, scarring, gallstones, iron or vitamin B12, deficiencies, nausea and vomiting after eating, ulcers, loosening of the staples, hernia, hiccups and bloating, and death.

Many of these complications can be avoided if you closely follow your surgeon’s instructions.

LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB®)
During LAGB, an inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food. The narrowed opening between the stomach pouch and the rest of the stomach controls how quickly food passes from the pouch to the lower part of the stomach. The system helps you eat less by limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time and increasing the time it takes for food to be digested.

LAGB causes less weight loss and at a slower rate than does the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, LAGB is gaining popularity because it's a simpler procedure and has a lower complication rate when compared with gastric bypass. Potential LAGB complications may include: stomach perforation, blood clots, infection, bleeding, liver damage, spleen damage, or death.

Many of these complications can be avoided if you closely follow your surgeon’s instructions.

LAGB is not recommended for people who have certain medical conditions, such as Crohn's disease, large hiatal hernias or a history of gastric ulcers.

If you are considering undergoing a bariatric procedure or any other plastic surgery procedure, talk to a board certified plastic surgeon. He or she can give you the information to help you determine which procedure is right for you.