Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, consists of operations that help severely overweight or obese patients lose weight. Laparoscopic gastric banding and gastric bypass operations are two of the more common bariatric surgery options.
Mechanism
Laparoscopic gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery both work by reducing the amount of space in the stomach where food can accumulate, which limits how much can be eaten. Gastric bypass surgery also reroutes some of the digestive tract so fewer calories are absorbed from consumed food, explains the About Weight Loss Surgery website.
Weight Loss
Laparoscopic gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery both produce similar amounts of weight loss three years after the procedure, according to LapBand.com. Patients who receive gastric bypass may see a greater initial drop in weight, however, as the effects of laparoscopic gastric banding can take longer to develop.
Risks
Laparoscopic gastric banding is a less invasive procedure and carries with it a reduced risk of mortality or severe complications compared to gastric bypass, according to the About Weight Loss Surgery website. However, because the device is left in the body, there is the potential that the band can slip or generate an inflammatory reaction within the abdomen.
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