Bariatric surgery has become a popular strategy for obese people seeking help in losing weight. When people are searching for answers which surgery to have it can be very confusing even with the help of medical staff. Weight loss surgery includes many procedures but the most two typical surgeries talked about are Gastric By Pass and the Gastric Banding. The Vertical Sleeve is a newer surgery but not enough studies have been done on this procedure. These surgeries typically make the stomach smaller; make food consumption less, and a longer feeling of fullness. The Lap-Band actually puts pressure on the phrenic nerve making hunger controlled up to 4 hours.
The whole idea of both surgeries is for the patient to eat less, feel full longer, and therefore lose weight. The Gastric Banding or the Lap-Band has become more favorable of the three procedures. Even though dramatic weight loss occurs in a short amount of time with these procedures, people are leaning towards the lap band because the risks involved are much less than with the By Pass. With either surgery it is possible for 30% of the population to regain some of their weight due to lack of exercise and maintaining a healthy diet. Some will just not conform to the life style change associated with weight loss surgery, so weight gain is inevitable.
So which surgery is the better choice you ask? While far more studies have been done on the By Pass then the Lap-Band because the By Pass has been around a lot longer, in similar studies done, The American Obesity Association reported that weight loss with the By Pass was between 50 to 60 % of excess body weight and maintaining that weight for 3 to 5 years.
The same study was done with the Lap-Band and in its conclusion most people lost at least 25% of their excess body weight, some lost 50% and as little as 10% lost 70%. These individuals also kept their weight off for a period of five years.
When comparing these two surgeries it is not an exact science, however the time frame for keeping the weight off was pretty much the same in both studies. The reason the Lap-Band has become the more favorable choice of the two surgeries is it is not as complicated as the By Pass. The By Pass actually reroutes the large intestines (where most of your nutrients are absorbed causing nutritional deficiency), less time for healing, less time for missing work, and most importantly causing less stress on the body.
When deciding which surgery is best for you the more morbidly obese you are, leaning towards the By Pass has been more favorable because the weight loss with the Lap-Band has been less. It is not impossible for someone with a lot of weight to lose to have the Lap-Band surgery; it may prove to be harder work than having the By Pass but the same results are not impossible. Committing to a life style change is of the utmost importance when deciding on either surgery. Healthy food choices and exercise is still the key to successful weight loss with either surgery.