What surgeries are available?
• Laparoscopic Gastric Band (LAP-BAND®) – The LAP-BAND procedure uses an adjustable band, which is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients feel full sooner and consume smaller amounts of food. The band can be adjusted during follow-up visits to optimize weight loss. The operation can usually be performed using laparoscopy. • Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass – The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass involves a modification of the stomach so that only a small amount of food can be eaten at one time. As gastric-bypass implies, food is routed past much of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. Individuals lose weight because they feel full sooner, and therefore eat less. There is also a decrease in the amount of food absorbed. What are the benefits of surgery? For patients undergoing surgery, this is a life-changing event like no other. Individuals who have had surgery show dramatic improvement with diabetes, sleep apnea (a disorder with
