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Hearing you, helping you, healing you.SM |
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Surgical Institute of South Dakota
911 East 20th Street
Suite 800
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
605-334-0393
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Bariatric Surgery
Comparison of the Laparoscopic Adjustable Band to the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Advantages of the Laparoscopic Adjustable Band
There is no cutting and stapling of the gastrointestinal area with a Lap Band; as such, it is much less invasive, generally resulting in fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and shorter recovery times than a gastric bypass.
While the Lap Band restricts the amount of food that can be consumed, it does not affect the absorption of food by the body. This substantially reduces the risk of nutritional deficits that may occur with a gastric bypass.
The Lap Band can be expanded or contracted, or removed entirely, allowing for changes in life events. Women who become pregnant can have the band loosened to allow for normal nutritional flow to the fetus, and have the band tightened after their delivery. The gastric bypass is generally considered non-reversible, and is not recommended for women of child-bearing age.
Disadvantages of theLaparoscopic Adjustable Band
Generally, weight loss with the Lap Band will be slower initially than with a Gastric Bypass. Studies do show that weight loss is equivalent to the gastric bypass after five years.
Many insurance companies have been slow to provide benefit coverage for the Lap Band procedure. Your doctor will help you consider all of the benefits and risks of each procedure, assisting you to make the decision as to which procedure is best for you.
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