Weight loss surgery has come a long way, with procedures becoming less invasive and accompanied by fewer hospital stays and recovery times. Obesity has been described as an epidemic that can lead to a variety of medical disorders including high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiac events.

Despite the Lap-Band surgery being the most frequently performed surgery throughout the globe, in the United States, the gastric bypass surgery is most often performed. There are many differences between the two weight loss procedures, mainly the approach taken to the procedure.

How is a Lap-Band surgery performed? The procedure is less invasive, compared to the gastric bypass surgery, as it lacks the stapling and cutting that are involved throughout the gastric bypass surgery process. During the surgery process, a band is placed around the upper section of the stomach, thereby creating a smaller area, so the patient is able to consume a smaller amount of food while maintaining the satisfaction that comes with being full. The newly created smaller stomach pouch results in a smaller stomach with a recovery time that is less than a day for the majority of patients.

Gastric bypass surgery comes with an increased mortality rate, ten times that of Lap-Band surgery. As well as the increased mortality rate, the procedure is accompanied by a recovery time three times that of the Lap-Band procedure and invasive procedures that involve cutting and stapling the stomach pouch. During the surgery, the stomach is stapled to create a smaller stomach pouch and the intestines are fused, creating a new digestive tract which bypasses portions of the stomach and intestines. Weight loss results from the patient’s inability to eat large amounts of food with high caloric ingredients.

In addition to the increase in recovery time, it has been demonstrated that the two surgeries differ in methods used to lose weight. Although patients show an initial weight loss with both surgeries, the Lap-Band procedure has been recognized as a weight loss tool which can be adjusted as time passes and the stomach grows and stretches to accommodate larger meals.

Patients undergoing the Lap-Band procedure can expect weight loss of one to two pounds per week, compared the rapid weight loss that is initially demonstrated after the gastric-bypass procedure has been completed. With rapid weight loss, the body may begin to deteriorate, leading to malnutrition in the patient.

 

In comparison to gastric bypass surgery, the Lap-Band procedure helps the patient to experience fewer side effects.  A common side effect that occurs from gastric bypass surgery is a condition is known as “dumping syndrome”. “Dumping syndrome” occurs when the patient experienced rapid digestion and food moves into the small intestine before being fully digested. The patient may experience cold sweats and cramps which are accompanied by a rapid heart rate. This experience has been compared to a state of shock. Choosing Lap-Band surgery reduces the chances of “dumping syndrome” occurring.

As a reversible procedure, the Lap-Band procedure is considered the safest and least invasive procedure, as the Lap-Band can be adjusted without removing the device from the stomach. After the Lap-Band has been removed from the body, the stomach is able to transition back to the state prior to the Lap-Band being installed.

To learn more about Lap-Band Weight Loss Surgery visit www.lapbandguide.com



By: Lisa Ventura

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