Some people have asked me what the difference is between the Lap band Surgery and the Gastric By-Pass Surgery. The one to your far left is the Lap Banding. The other one is the Gastric Bypass.

According to two organizations, the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health, Roux-en-Y (pronounced ROO-en-why)gastric bypass surgery is the most popular surgery in the United States.

In this procedure, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch and then constructs a “bypass” for food. The bypass allows food to skip parts of the small intestine. By skipping a large part of the small intestine, the body cannot absorb as many calories or nutrients.

Advantages

• 83.7 percent of type 2 diabetes cases are resolved.
  


• Studies always include a control group; the control group that doesn’t have bariatric surgery is at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes: 3.7 times higher
  


• Gastric bypass surgery successfully resolves more people’s type 2 diabetes than purely restrictive procedures.
  


• Resolution of type 2 diabetes often occurs within days of the surgery.
  


• 96.9 percent of hyperlipidemia cases are resolved.
  


• 75.4 percent of hypertension cases are resolved; 87.1 percent are resolved or improved.
  


• Substantial weight reduction occurs; 61.6 percent of excess weight is lost.
  


• In 2000, a study of 500 patients showed that 96 percent of co-morbidities (the study looked specifically at back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and depression) were improved or resolved.⁸
  


• The average excess weight loss after a gastric bypass procedure is generally higher than with a purely restrictive procedure.
  


• As with every type of bariatric surgery, the overall quality of life for patients improves greatly. A great deal of excess weight is lost, and patients experience resolution of co morbidities, and improved appearance, social opportunities, and economic opportunities.
  


• A condition known as dumping syndrome can occur from eating too much sugar or large amounts of food. While it isn’t considered a serious health risk, the results can be very unpleasant. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and, on occasion, diarrhea. Some patients are unable to eat sugary foods after surgery.
  

Risks and Disadvantages

• Because the duodenum and other sections of the small intestine are bypassed, poor absorption of iron and calcium can cause low total body iron and a greater chance of having iron-deficiency anemia. Patients who experience chronic blood loss during excessive menstrual flow or bleeding hemorrhoids should be aware of the chance of iron-deficiency anemia. Women, already at risk for osteoporosis that can occur after menopause, should be aware of the possibility of increased bone calcium loss. By taking a multivitamin and calcium supplements, patients can maintain a healthy level of minerals and vitamins.
  


• Bypassing the duodenum can cause metabolic bone in some patients, resulting in bone pain, loss of height, humped back, and fractures of the ribs and hipbones. Eating foods rich in nutrients and taking vitamins can help patients avoid this.
  


• Chronic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency may occur. The problem usually can be managed with vitamin B12 pills or injections.
  


• The bypassed portion of the stomach, duodenum, and parts of the small intestine cannot be seen easily using X-ray or endoscopy if there are problems such as ulcers, bleeding, or malignancy.
  


• It is a permanent, non reversible procedure.

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Now that you "should" understand what the Gastric Bypass is, I will explain to you what the Lap Band is:

The Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure is a purely restrictive surgical procedure in which a band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach. This band divides the stomach into two portions: one small and one larger portion. Since the stomach is divided into smaller parts, most patients feel full faster. As the name indicates, the band is adjustable. So if the rate of weight loss is not acceptable, the band can be adjusted. Food digestion happens through normal digestion.

• 47.9 percent of type 2 diabetes cases are resolved.
• Significant improvements in overall cholesterol occur, including a boost in HDL levels.
• 70.8 percent of hypertension cases are resolved or improved.
• Patients lose roughly 47 percent of their excess weight.
• The amount of food that can be consumed at a meal is restricted.
• Food passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing it to be absorbed fully by the body.
• In studies involving more than 3,000 patients, excess weight loss ranged
  from 28 to 87 percent, with a minimum of two-year postoperative follow-up.
• Band can be adjusted to increase or decrease restriction via an access port.
• Surgery can be reversed.

Risks and Disadvantages

• The access port may leak or twist, which can require an operation to correct the problem.
• Surgery may not provide the necessary feeling of satisfaction that one has had enough to eat.
• Dumping syndrome, which may provide important warning signs, does not occur.
• Band may erode into the stomach wall.
• Band may move or slip.
• Weight loss is slower than that following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.