How Does Gastric Banding Surgery Compare To Stomach Bypass?
Stomach banding does not involve any form of gastrectomy (as in Biliopancreatic Diversion or Sleeve Gastrectomy with Bypass), nor does it entail any change in the passage of food through the duodenum or jejunum. And unlike gastric bypass, stomach banding is fully reversible, typically done laparoscopically by keyhole surgery, whereupon the stomach reverts to its regular pre-banded shape and function. Because there is no malabsorptive element gastric band patients have a much reduced health risk of nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption of vitamins/minerals. Thus calcium and B12 supplementation is not mandatory, as it is after bypass surgeries such as Roux-en-Y or Duodenal Switch. Also, there is no risk of gastric dumping syndrome, because the intestinal tract is left intact.
