Gastric Bypass – Roux-en-Y
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure that can be performed laparoscopically or through an open approach.  In these procedures, the stomach is sectioned into a small upper pouch and a lower larger compartment, which will not be used to receive or hold food, but is bypassed.  The small upper gastric pouch is used to receive food and is connected to a segment of small intestine through a new small opening, which slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach.  After gastric bypass, a small amount of food makes the patient feel full longer.  The larger bypassed stomach remains inside the abdomen.  It is nourished with a good blood supply.  It does not hold food but does produce a small amount of gastric juice that follows the normal pathway to the duodenum until they mix with food from the small pouch.  In this way, there is a delay in digestion and absorption of food.

Lap Band®
The Lap-Band®, a minimally invasive surgery, places a “Band” around the upper stomach to create a tiny stomach pouch.  The tightness of the Lap band® can be adjusted by injecting fluid into, or withdrawing fluid from, the balloon on the inner aspect of the lap band.  The concept of the Lap Band® is to create an anatomy that provides a sensation of fullness after a small meal.  The Lap Band® is removable and adjustable.  It allows the patient to achieve slower, but steadier weight loss.