cedesigns

I chose laproscopic gastric bypass for one main reason, my insurance covered it and would not cover the lap band, so for me there were no options. Because the lap band is newer a lot of insurance programs are not covering it yet. There are some upsides, no cutting of internal organs, it can be removed, and it can be adjusted. Gastric bypass is a onetime thing, once it is done it is done. In very extreme cases (to save someones life basically) the pouch surgery can be reversed and the bypassed original stomache can be re-opened but that is rarely ever done. There are problems with lap band surgery with ulcerations around the restricted area and the band can slip out of place. By far the band is the least invasive of the two though. With gastric bypass there are some added advantages in the aspect of mal-absorbtion. Part of the intestine is bypassed so there is less absorbtion of calories, but also less absorbtion of nutrients too so you must always be careful to suppliment your diet with vitamins and minerals. Many gastric bypass patients still have to undergo large open surgeries with large scars. That is not necessary anymore as the bypass can be done laproscopically as well as the lap band. So from that perspective both have little scarring, just a few small little scars. I went to several different doctors and clinics over about a one year period and went to many orientation seminars to decide. There are also other techniques but by far the gastric bypass Roux n Y is the most popular, the most widespread and the has the most surgical history.

Carol
5weeks post op / laproscopic GBP, no big scars!