Lap Band vs. Gastric Bypass
You might have heard about people opting for a specific diet to lose weight, but have you ever heard about people opting for a surgical procedure to eliminate the excessive weight that has made them lose their confidence or is causing medical problems? No? Then let us enlighten you.
Lap Band and Gastric Bypass are two of the most common and leading weight loss procedures in the bariatric procedure category. If you have heard about the two and want to know more about them or want to assess which out of the two would be a better option to pick, then this guide is for you. Hop on below to learn what a lap band and a gastric bypass are and on what factors do the two differentiate from each other.
What is a Lap Band Procedure?
In the lap band procedure, the surgeon places a ring or band around the top part of the patient’s stomach. This band – also called the gastric band – helps create a virtual pouch around the largest part of the stomach.
This procedure, in turn, helps slow down the transition of food from the top to the central and the main part of the stomach, ultimately aiding in weight loss.
In terms of surgical aspects, the procedure is safe and effective and performed in the shortest time out of any bariatric procedure.
What is a Gastric Bypass Procedure?
The gastric bypass procedure involves the surgeon cutting and stapling parts of your stomach. The stomach is divided into two sections: a smaller upper pouch and a larger remnant pouch, combined with the small intestines so that it quickly absorbs and digests the food.
Hence, not only does your stomach holds a lesser amount of food which eventually makes you feel full faster, but a quicker pathway to the small intestines would ensure faster metabolism preventing you from gaining weight in the future.
What are the Differences Between the Two Procedures?
The lap band and gastric bypass surgical procedures have been around for a long time and have shown successful results in almost 99 percent of those who opt for them. However, while both do have a great success rate and work towards the same outcome, the question is, how can you decide which one is better for you?
If you are someone who is in the same boat and need help deciding which one out of the two you should opt for or which will be the best for you, worry not because we have got you. The differences below will help you assess the critical aspects that should be considered while opting for a weight loss surgery and then help you decide which one you should opt for.
Operative Time
The operative time or the duration one would be under anesthesia plays a significant role in helping many people decide which of the two procedures they should stick to.
A longer anesthetic time is generally not recommended for people with other medical conditions. If this is the case for you, a lap band procedure would be a perfect pick, given it only has an operative time of about 45 minutes to an hour.
Compared to this duration, the gastric bypass holds an operative time of about two hours.
Reversibility
One of the main concerns many people have with a weight loss operative procedure is whether it would be reversible. If this is the same concern for you, then let us also acknowledge this.
The lap procedure would include placing a gastric band on the top part of your stomach, which later can be removed upon choice. Hence, this procedure is an entirely reversible one.
On the other hand, the gastric bypass includes your surgeon cutting almost 80 percent of your stomach component and stapling the remaining parts with the intestines back again. These cut-off parts cannot be re-grafted again, making this surgical procedure a non-reversible one.
Weight Loss Percent
The gastric bypass would show astonishing results regarding effectiveness and weight loss. The gastric bypass, once performed, is bound to show a weight loss of about 65 to 85 percent in the post-recovery period.
On the other hand, the lap band procedure would show effectivity to a weight loss percent of only 30 to 55 percent. So, choosing the procedure based on the effective levels or weight loss percentage you want to see in your body is essential.
Complication and Death Rate
Surgical procedures, no matter how small, do carry some risks along with them. These risks, while not the majority of the time, but in some minor instances can carry the risk of death as well.
Hence, while your doctor would ask you to fill out a consent form that would label all these risky criteria, it isn’t something you should worry about. This is because the complication factor for both procedures is low.
The death rate on gastric bypass is low. It is even lower on the lap band procedure.
Cost
Another aspect that plays a significant role in making people decide which surgery they should choose out of the two is the cost factor. The two surgeries differ in time duration, specialty, and complication aspect; hence, the price margin also varies considerably.
The gastric bypass, compared to the lap band, is more expensive. Hence, when opting for either of these two, people put in immense thought.
Appetite Suppression
The gastric bypass holds leverage to the lap band in terms of appetite suppression. The gastric bypass helps those who undergo it maintain a suppressed appetite which eventually helps them maintain their weight in the longer term.
On the other hand, the lap band doesn’t promise any appetite suppression post-procedure.
Conclusion
Both the Lap Band and Gastric Bypass are the best procedures when it comes to surgical weight reduction. However, knowing the differences between the two and then deciding on which one would suit you best is essential.
We hope this article was sufficient to help you understand the differences between the two and which one you choose.
