Lap Band and Gastric Bypass

With obesity and controlling one's weight seemingly at epidemic proportions these days, many people are turning to surgery to reduce the weight and get their lives back on the right track.

Among the options available to people is Lap Band surgery and gastric bypass surgery.

What Lap Band Involves

Lap Band surgery is when a smaller stomach pouch is formed in the upper portion of the stomach. Normally, this pouch will only hold approximately ½ to 1 ounce of food. This pouch connects to the rest of the stomach through an outlet called a stoma.

The person who has had Lap Band surgery will not feel the need to eat when their upper stomach is full and they will be able to control their weight gain and of course lower their weight over time.

The Lap Band procedure in essence will allow for individuals to eat smaller meals during the day, yet obtain the required nutrients that they need instead of continuing to go back for seconds and thirds, meaning more weight gain. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and usually lasts no more than one hour.

When a patient needs to have the Lap Band adjusted, it can be done through a simple procedure where a saline solution is inserted into the Lap Band itself.

What Gastric Bypass Involves

Gastric bypass surgery is performed under general anesthesia and can last upwards of four hours. Most patients who have gastric bypass surgery can expect a few days in the hospital to recover before being released.

In gastric bypass the surgeon forms a small pouch at the upper portion of your stomach and adds a bypass around a segment of your stomach and small intestine.

The surgeon staples your stomach across the top, sealing it off from the remainder of your stomach. The resulting pouch is generally the size of a walnut and can host only about an ounce of food. While the pouch is physically separated from the rest of the stomach, the surgeon cuts the small intestine and sews a portion of it directly onto the pouch.

This connection reroutes the food, bypassing the majority of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine. Food enters straight into the second section of your small intestine, therefore limiting your ability to absorb calories. Even though food never reaches the lower portion of your stomach, the stomach remains healthy and will continue to secrete digestive juices to mix with food in your small intestine.

With gastric bypass surgery, a tube is inserted through your nose into the upper stomach pouch. In some instances, this tube remains in place overnight. The tube is joined to a suction machine after surgery to make sure the small stomach pouch is empty so that the staple line can heal.

You may have another tube in the bypassed stomach. This tube exits the side of your abdomen and is taken out four to six weeks after surgery. Some skin irritation may be an issue around this tube.

For more information about Lap Band, call 1-800-953-5000.