Gastric bypass and lap band surgery are two operations that can help people lose weight. Lap band is a less invasive procedure, but both procedures are common for treating obesity.
Procedures
The procedure for gastric bypass surgery is more complicated and invasive than that for lap band surgery, according to Bariatric Surgery Specialists. This means that there is a greater chance of complications with the gastric bypass procedure.
Weight Loss
Gastric bypass typically results in more rapid initial weight loss as compared to lap band surgery. Both procedures, however, have been found to generate comparable weight loss three years after the procedure, according to the Lap Band website.
Adjustments
Patients who receive lap band surgery can have the device adjusted, which is not an option with gastric bypass. It is also easier to reverse the operation if necessary.
Mechanism
Lap band surgery works by restricting the size of the stomach, which limits food intake. Gastric bypass not only restricts the stomach size but also inhibits food absorption by shortening the intestines.
Recovery
The lap band procedure, according to About Weight Loss Surgery, requires an overnight hospital stay and has a total recovery time of approximately six weeks. Gastric bypass surgery, on the other hand, requires a hospital stay of two to three days and has a three-month recovery time.
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