There are many different types of bariatric surgery, and at times the options can seem quite overwhelming – where even to start when contemplating surgery? The basic answer to that is that you should consult an expert. Speaking to a professional about your personal story will enable them to share with you what the options are that are suitable for you. There are two types of weight loss surgery that are most commonly performed, and these are gastric band and gastric bypass surgery, each of which has their own particular pros and cons.
There are two types of weight loss surgery that are most commonly performed, gastric band and gastric bypass surgery, and each has their own particular pros and cons. One is often a lot more appropriate for an individual than the other, and so speaking to an expert is essential.
This means that suitability for each surgery is in some way driven by the eating habits of the individual. For people that aren’t prone to snacking, but who maybe over eat at meal times, the band may be more appropriate. However, if you are a ‘snacker’ and perhaps have other health complications such as diabetes then gastric bypass surgery may be more suitable for you.
The actual surgical procedures for gastric banding and bypass are quite different too. For the lap band, a small pouch is created in the stomach using a band which can be removed at any time. As such, this is a reversible procedure. Gastric bypass surgery, however, is not reversible. As with the band, a small pouch is created in the stomach, but in this case it is created with a permanent dissection. The duodenum is bypassed and the patient undergoing surgery ends up with a much shortened small intestine. As you would expect, given the different level of complexity in the gastric bypass operation, it takes 2-3 hours to perform, compared to around an hour for the gastric band surgery.
It should be stressed that these are just the basic differences between the various surgical procedures, and each patient has a slightly different set of needs. For this reason going to a well-established practice such as Streamline Surgical is very important. Each procedure has its benefits and its drawbacks and you should consult the experts on what is suitable for you.
Janey Hamilton is a member of Streamline Surgical and specialises in weight loss surgery advice and information, such as gastric band surgery, bariatric surgery and other weight loss procedures, all of which can be discussed on the site forums.