Many patients are interested in comparing gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. This chart can help give you a general overview of these two popular weight loss procedures, but it should not take the place of a consultation with your doctor to discuss your health and determine which procedure is the best fit for you.
Procedure |
Lap-Band Surgery |
Gastric Bypass |
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Approach to Weight Loss |
Restrictive
- Limits amount of food that can be eaten
- Slows digestion
- Creates satiety
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Restrictive-Malabsorptive
- Limits amount of food that can be eaten
- Reduces absorption
- Dumping Syndrome
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Anatomy Changes |
Stomach
- Small (1-2 oz) stomach pouch created by placing an adjustable silicone band around top part of stomach
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Stomach and Intestines
- Stomach divided into an upper small (1 oz) pouch and a lower larger remnant pouch
- Small intestine cut and rerouted
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Dietary Guidelines |
- 800 calories per day for first 2-3 years, then 1000-1200 calories per day
- eat protein-rich foods
- certain fibrous, dry, or doughy foods can get stuck if eaten
- high carbohydrate and high calorie intake will defeat weight loss attempts
- drink 6-8 cups of water a day between meals
- avoid carbonated drinks
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- 800 calories per day for first 1-2 years, then 1000-1200 calories per day
- eat protein-rich foods
- avoid intake of sugar and fats or Dumping Syndrome occurs
- high carbohydrate and high calorie intake will defeat weight loss attempts
- drink 6-8 cups of water per day between meals
- avoid carbonated drinks
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Eating Habits |
- eat 3 small meals a day
- avoid snacking
- no drinking with meals
- eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
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- eat small amounts
- avoid snacking
- no drinking with meals
- eat and drink slowly
- chew food thoroughly
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Nutritional Supplements |
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- Multivitamin
- Calcium
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
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Operating Time |
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Hospital Stay |
- less than 24 hrs - overnight
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Time off Work |
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Recovery Time |
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Surgery Disadvantages |
- General surgical risks including infection
- Possibility of band slippage, band erosion, or port problems
- Requires more patient effort for weight loss
- Stoma obstruction
- Band needs fills and adjustments by doctor
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- Complex operation
- Surgical risks including infection, leaks, and blood clots
- Ulcers
- Bowel obstruction
- Reflux
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Dumping Syndrome
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Surgery Mortality Rates |
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Surgery Advantages |
- Simple and relatively safe procedure
- Reversible
- Adjustable
- No removing or altering any part of the stomach or intestines
- Short hospital stay
- Quick recovery period
- Low malnutrition risk
- Low rate of major complications
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- Rapid weight loss in first 6 months
- Greatly controls amount of food that can be eaten
- Dumping Syndrome controls intake of sweets
- Limits amount of calories absorbed by the body
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Average Weight Loss |
- Slow and steady weight loss
- Settles at final weight 3-4 years after surgery
- 40-50% weight loss after 1 year
- 55% weight loss after 5 years
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- Rapid weight loss first 6 months
- Settles at final weight about 18-24 months after surgery
- 70% weight loss after 1 year
- 60% weight loss after 5 years
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