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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Weight loss surgery, or Bariatric Surgery, is a surgical method that is used to aid in weight loss through alteration of the digestive system. Only those who are considered morbidly obese can have weight loss surgery and morbidly obese is defined as those who are at least one hundred pounds overweight. For those who qualify for weight loss surgery, there are several options that are available. But first there are three classifications.

The classifications

The classifications of weight loss surgery are as follows:

Biliopancreatic Division – This procedure is commonly referred to as BPD, but is rare. Many also know it as gastric bypass surgery. The reason why it is not performed frequently is because patients were found to experience malnourishment. How it works is that a smaller stomach pouch is formed out of part of the stomach. Then a small part of the intestine is connected to that pouch. This completely bypasses the jejunum and the duodenum. Patients who undergo this procedure must take supplements to compensate for the loss in nutrients from food.

Vertical banded Gastroplasty – This is a procedure that is also called stomach stapling. A part of the stomach is permanently stapled to create a smaller pouch out of part of the stomach. This smaller pouch is considered to be the new, smaller stomach.

Jejuno-ileal Bypass – The top part of the jejunum is connected into the ileum, which is located at a place that is further down the smaller intestine. This is another procedure that is known to cause malnourishment because the food does not pass through all of the areas of the jejunum that absorbs food. Without proper nourishment, a person can also experience liver failure. This is one procedure that is no longer performed on patients.

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty – This is also referred to as lap band surgery and many are familiar with this. This procedure also forms a small stomach pouch, but it is done by an adjustable band. The band is adjusted through a “vale” or “opening” in the stomach that the doctor can easily manipulate to make the band fit comfortably.

The most common

As stated above, the Jejuo-ileal Bypass procedure is no longer performed, so that should not be a procedure that is requested. It is also stated that the Biliopancreatic Division surgery is not as common anymore either. However, this procedure can be performed on a patient if it is found that it is necessary.

As for stomach stapling, this term is actually a loose term that describes a number of weight loss surgeries in which a small pouch is permanently formed. This process cannot be reversed and it is very important for the individual to take supplements to make sure adequate nutrition levels are achieved.

However, the most popular of these surgeries is lap band surgery because of its ability to be adjusted. If the patient is not getting enough food to sustain themselves, the band can be loosened to make the pouch larger. It can be adjusted until optimal weight loss is achieved while taking in adequate nutrients. Those who have the lap band procedure done lose weight about as fast as someone doing both diet and exercise. However, there are some who are not able to incorporate exercise until they eliminate some of the weight.

But out of the available procedures, it is up to the patient which they would like to have done and which the doctor recommends. Every individual is different. Where one person may be able to have a stomach stapling procedure, another may not and have to go with the lap band procedure. Either way, weight loss isn’t just a dream but a reality.



By: Amy Nutt

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