Bariatric surgery allows patients who are significantly overweight to lose weight as a result of a surgical procedure. Two of the most common bariatric operations, laparoscopic banding and gastric bypass, have distinct advantages and drawbacks.
Results
Laparoscopic banding and gastric bypass both are able to result in similar amounts of weight loss, LapBand explains. Gastric bypass causes more rapid weight loss, however, with patients losing weight quickly in the first six months and ultimately settling in at their final weight after one to two years, Weight Loss Surgery Help notes. Laparoscopic banding results in slower weight loss that eventually abates after three to four years.
Risks
The laparoscopic banding procedure is less invasive than gastric bypass. This means that the recovery time after the laparoscopic banding procedure is less than that for gastric bypass. Laparoscopic banding also has a lower rate of mortality than gastric bypass.
Reversibility
Laparoscopic banding can be reversed if needed, because the band itself is removable, whereas gastric bypass procedures cannot be reversed. Laparoscopic banding is also adjustable, which means that the device can be moved to allow differing amounts of food intake.
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