Whats the difference between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and lap-banding?
In a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach with surgical staples or a plastic band. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. Gastric bypass surgery limits food intake as well as absorption of calories and nutrients. • Most patients lose 50-80 percent of their excess weight in about one year. • Surgery cannot be reversed. • Gastric bypass surgery is considered the gold standard of weight loss surgery. Lap-banding is a restrictive surgical procedure in which an adjustable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The band divides the stomach into two parts, one smaller and one larger, causing patients to feel full faster. If the rate of weight loss is not what it should be, the band can be adjusted by a doctor. • Patients lose roughly 47 percent of their excess weight. • Surgery can be
