Making an educated decision about your health is key, and the only way to do that is to review your options. We feel it is important that you review the most popular surgical weight loss options for combatting obesity.

Let’s take a look at how Gastric Bypass Surgery compares in cost, scope, and health risks to Lap-Band® Surgery. Pay close attention to the safety and effectiveness of each – we are certain that the safety statistics, the advantages, and the uniqueness of the Lap-Band® make it the most optimal solution for patients struggling with obesity.
Here’s why:

LAP-BAND® PROCEDURE

GASTRIC BYPASS PROCEDURE

Important Safety Statistics:

Important Safety Statistics:

• The procedure is routine and only takes approximately 25 minutes.

• Approximately one to four hours long.

• The Band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to form a ring. It is locked and secured with minimal stitching.

• The stomach is divided into an upper small pouch and a lower larger remnant pouch, by cutting and rerouting the small intestine. Surgical staples are used to keep the small intestine in place.

• Yes! One of the unique features of the Lap-Band is that it's reversible AND adjustable – it can be removed completely, or adjusted for the desired rate of weight loss.

• The procedure is a permanent change of the body's anatomy – it CANNOT be reversed.

• Patients are discharged the day after surgery and can return to work with no heavy lifting after just a few days.

• Patients are able leave the hospital within 4-6 days, return to work within 21 days, and resume normal activities in 5 weeks.

• Patients recover faster and are able to resume normal activities sooner than other methods of weight loss surgery.

• After the surgery, patients usually incur intense pain, swelling, and discomfort which lasts a few weeks.

• No

• Yes. Intense health risks can occur after Gastric Bypass Surgery such as internal bleeding, heart attacks, ulcers, hernias, recurring gallbladder stones, hospitalization, and even death.

• Standard risks associated with major surgery
• Nausea and vomiting
• Band slippage (minor revisional surgery)
• Band erosion (minor revisional surgery)
• Access port problems (minor revisional surgery)

• Standard risks associated with major surgery
• Nausea and vomiting
• Separation of stapled areas (major revisional surgery)
• Leaks from staple lines (major revisional surgery)
• Nutritional deficiencies

• Costs: $6,500 - $25,000 (Avg. $16,125.00)

• Costs: $14,000 - $48,000 (Avg $25,000.00)

• No stomach stapling or cutting, or intestinal re-routing
• Adjustable
• Reversible
• Low malnutrition risk

• Rapid initial weight loss
• Minimally invasive approach is common
• Longer clinical experience in the U.S.
• Slightly higher total average weight loss reported than with purely restrictive procedures

• Slower initial weight loss
• Regular follow-up critical for optimal results
• Requires an implanted medical device
• In some cases, effectiveness can be reduced due to band slippage
• In some cases, the access port may leak and require minor revisional surgery

• Cutting and stapling of stomach and bowel are required
• More operative complications
• Portion of digestive tract is bypassed, reducing absorption of essential nutrients
• Medical complications due to nutritional deficiencies
• "Dumping syndrome" can occur
• Non-adjustable
• Extremely difficult to reverse
• Higher mortality rate

References:

• Consumer guide to Bariatric Surgery
• Wikipedia.org
• WebMD.com