Band or Bypass: Is Lap Band Surgery Better?

I admit that whenever I hear news about a celebrity undergoing surgery to lose weight I raise an eyebrow. Like many people, my first thought is "why don't they just try to lose weight the normal way?" Right? I know you've thought it too. But obviously, there has to be more to their story or they wouldn't be considering such a drastic option.

Weight loss surgery is the last chance for millions of people. In the past, gastric bypass surgery was the only option for people that have failed to lose weight from diet, exercise, and medication and still remains the most often performed type of weight loss surgery. But now, lap band surgery has become a viable alternative to gastric bypass surgery, an alternative that looks very promising and appears to have a better outcome.

Two of the major differences between the gastric bypass and the laparoscopic band procedures are that lap band surgery is minimally invasive and reversible. That alone makes it worth looking into. Rather than cutting into the digestive system and re-sizing it, the lap band procedure places a band around the upper portion of the stomach to restrict the flow of food into the stomach which results in feeling fuller sooner and for a longer period of time.

Other benefits of the band over the bypass include fewer deaths from the procedure, fewer and less severe complications, weight loss is steady and sustained, and a significantly shorter healing time due to its less invasive approach. Even people who only seek to lose 20 pounds can undergo this procedure to lose weight.

Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Having more choices for healthier living is always good. With a greater range of choices, though, comes the responsibility to be informed about them. If health and weight are serious issues in your life, lap band surgery is worth looking into. It doesn't cost anything to do your research and it could save you plenty.