Comparing Lap Band Surgery with Gastric Bypass Surgery 

Should I Get Lap Band Surgery or Gastric Bypass Surgery?

How to Decide Whether to Have Lap Band Surgery or Gastric Bypass Surgery - Nurse's Report  

If you're considering lap band surgery or gastric bypass surgery for weight loss options or to help you lose weight and not sure which way to go, this article may help you decide on which would be best for you.

First of all you want to avoid any surgery if at all possible. Surgery comes with consequences.  There can be many risks associated with any type  of surgery including laparoscopic lap band surgery, which is a type of adjustable banding surgery (or some people call it lap belt surgery or stomach banding) with a patented system and gastric bypass surgery. 

The risks can be from the anesthetic and other medications that are given during surgery. There can be allergic reactions or adverse reactions.  Risks can come from the surgical procedure itself.  The bariatric surgeon (weight loss surgeon) may find something he or she hadn't planned on.  There can be complications during the banding procedure or the gastric bypass operation.

Following surgery there can be side effects from the surgery itself from the medications that were given before, during or after surgery.  There can be other risks associated with either the lap band surgery or other adjustable banding procedure or with gastric bypass. There can be problems with the gastric band fills. Adjustments may be needed.

The lap band surgery is a temporary banding procedure and can be removed in the future.  Like any surgery it is not completely risk free.  And even though it's reversible you will have scarring and tissue trauma from the surgery and hopefully no future complications.

If you have gastric bypass surgery it is permanent.  There is no turning around.  The long term effects are not known because the surgery is not several decades old.  People do develop complications with this surgery.

In both cases people have gained weight. They are not fool-proof when it comes to keeping the weight off. Both will require a change in your diet. Gastric bypass will be more restrictive than adjustable banding surgery.

To have either surgery, the bariatric doctors or surgeons will want to know that you have tried everything else in your power to lose weight and could not for some reason or other.  They will want you to meet certain criteria possibly including a 'morbidly obese' diagnosis.  If your life is threatened you may have more of a chance of qualifying for the surgery, providing certain ailments, diseases and conditions are not present.

Lap band surgery and other adjustable banding surgeries or gastric bypass may or may not be the answer to your obesity or weight problem. Diets have worked for many people. In some cases health insurance may not cover the cost of your lap band surgery and there may be additional costs so it won’t be free. Financing is available for some types of surgical procedures. Travel to another country sometimes is an option for some patients. . But if you have come to the end of the line and still want to get more information make sure you know all the facts.

Copyright©2008 Helen Hecker All rights reserved. No permission is given to copy or reproduce this article in any way or in any form.