Skip to Main Content

Weight Loss Surgical Procedures Available

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (Adjustable Lap Band)

An inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. A smaller stomach pouch is created that restricts the amount of food consumed at one time while increasing the time to empty the stomach.

Advantages:

  • Small incisions
  • No stapling or cutting of the anatomy
  • Adjustable
  • Reversible
  • Low risk of malnutrition and hair loss

Disadvantages:

  • Slower initial weight loss
  • Follow-up visits critical for optimal success
  • Uses an implanted device
  • Subject to issues related to band or port placement

Recovery:

  • Hospital stay of 24 hours or less
  • Return to normal activity within 7 days
  • Full recovery within two weeks

Laparoscopic and Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The stomach is stapled to make a smaller pouch. Then most of the stomach and much of the intestines are bypassed, attaching a part of the intestine to the small stomach pouch.

Advantages:

  • Minimally invasive approach is available
  • Rapid initial weight loss
  • Most popular weight-loss procedure

Disadvantages:

  • Cutting and stapling of anatomy is required
  • Greater potential for complications
  • Nutritional deficiencies can occur
  • Non-adjustable
  • Very difficult to reverse

Recovery:

  • Hospital stay of 48-72 hours
  • Return to normal activity within 18 days
  • Full recovery within three weeks

Laparoscopic Gastric SleeveLaparoscopic Gastric Sleeve

The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes approximately 85% of the stomach, shaping the remaining stomach into a tube or “sleeve”. This limits the amount of food that can be ingested at any given time without altering the normal absorption of vitamins and minerals.

Benefits:

  • Weight loss tends to be quick after surgery, with 55% to 70% of excess body weight being lost, depending on your circumstances.
  • During the laparoscopic gastric sleeve procedure, the nerves of the stomach and the outlet valve are not altered.
  • The procedure decreases significantly the hunger by removing the part of the stomach that produces the main stimulating hormones.
  • It also preserves the pylorus, the valve that regulates emptying of the stomach. This valve allows food to hold up in the stomach longer, making a person feel full as the food digests.

Risks:

  • possibility of leaks along the staple line
  • development of gastroesophageal reflux
  • a gastric fistula
  • a narrowing stoma
  • hiatal hernias
  • wound site infections
  • formation of blood clots in the leg

To learn more about Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding and Laparoscopic and Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve visit our health library »