Surgical Options

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is a silicone band that is securely placed around the upper portion of the stomach to divide the stomach into two portions—a smaller pouch on top and a larger section below the band. By reducing the storage area in the stomach, patients feel full sooner and thus consume smaller amounts of food, resulting in weight loss. The band can be accessed and adjusted through a small port implanted under the skin of the abdominal wall, enabling the surgeon to adjust the flow of food that passes between the two sections of the stomach or to reverse the procedure if necessary.

Lap gastric bypass (also known as lap Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) is a procedure that helps patients lose weight two ways. First, a smaller stomach pouch is created, which causes the patient to feel full after eating just a small amount of food. Second, the food bypasses the remaining section of the stomach and a portion of the intestines, which limits food absorption and reduces the number of calories the body takes in. This procedure also lessens the body’s ability to tolerate foods that are high in sugar and fats. Because eating these foods will cause discomfort, patients quickly learn to avoid these types of foods, which further aids in weight loss. Good nutrition and vitamin supplements are an important part of the postsurgical plan for this option.