Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

The RYGB is the most common operation performed in America for weight loss.  It is considered the gold standard, to which all other weight loss surgeries are compared.

The average stomach can hold 1 -1 ½ quarts of food at a time.  In the RYGB procedure, the top part of the stomach is separated from the remaining stomach to create a small pouch that can only hold 2 tablespoons of food.  As a result, patients will feel full after eating small portions of food.  So they will eat less.

Next, a piece of small intestine is brought up to the pouch and connected to it.  Further downstream, the small intestine is reattached to itself, creating a “Y” shaped bypass.  The bypass allows food to skip parts of the small intestine, and it reduces digestion of food.  In this manner, the body absorbs fewer calories from what the patient eats.

The operation takes 1 – 2 hours to complete, and usually requires a 1-2 night hospital stay.  Recovery time is 2 weeks.  Risks of surgery include bleeding, leakage, bowel blockage, blood clots, vitamin and mineral deficiency, and dumping syndrome.

On average, patients can lose 60 – 80% of excess weight in the first 2 years after surgery.  The majority of patients with diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, reflux, and high cholesterol see resolution of these diseases after surgery.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

The Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure is a purely restrictive surgical procedure in which a band (click here for image) is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach.   When the patient eats, it only takes a small amount of food to fill the top portion of the stomach.  As a result, the patient will feel full early and will eat less.

As the name indicates, the band is adjustable. So if the rate of weight loss is not acceptable, the band can be adjusted. Food digestion happens through normal digestion.

The operation can be performed in less than 1 hour as an outpatient procedure.  Recovery time is 1 – 2 weeks.  Risks of surgery include bleeding, band erosion or slippage, and port complications.

On average, patients lose 50% of excess weight in the first 2 years after surgery.  The majority of patients with diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, reflux, and high cholesterol see resolution of these diseases after surgery.  The band can be removed at a later date, making the operation reversible.

Links

Obesityhelp.com

Bariatricedge.com

LapBand.com

RealizeBand.com