Gastric Band Benefits

1. Gastric banding is the least invasive and only adjustable obesity surgery option in the U.S.
2. It does not involve dividing, moving or stapling internal organs, so it is less likely to bleed or leak.
3. Because it is a less complicated surgery than gastric bypass, you will probably spend less time under general anesthesia, in the operating room and in the hospital.
4. You’ll have less pain and shorter recovery time, and you’ll be able to return to work more quickly.
5. The LAP-BAND® and Realize™ bands are designed to stay in place for life, but in case of illness or in the early stages of pregnancy, your doctor can remove saline from the band, which will loosen the band.
6. Because all of your digestive organs stay intact, your body still absorbs all the nutrients in your food.
7. If you have a hiatal hernia, Dr. Johnell can fix it at the same time he performs the gastric banding. Taking care of the hiatal hernia at this time can prevent the band from slipping and the need for more surgery later on.

Gastric Band Risks

1. Anytime you have anesthesia or surgery, there is a risk of blood clots, other complications or even death. (We are thankful never to have had a patient death in our practice.)
2. Do not smoke. Smoking would put you at high risk for infection, blood clots, slow healing and other life-threatening complications.
3. It is extremely rare, but possible, that your body could reject or react to a band as a foreign object. 
4. The band may slip or erode into the stomach.
5. The smaller (pouch) portion of the stomach may stretch.
6. You may not feel satisfied that you have had enough to eat.
7. Some foods may cause nausea and vomiting.
8. Some types of food can block the outlet from the top to the bottom of the stomach.
9. An infection can form around the band or at the port.
10. Problems with the band or port may require another operation.
11. The stomach can lose its blood supply if the band slips.
12. Bleeding or blood clots can form after surgery.
13. Gastric surgery puts you at higher than normal risk of developing gallstones and gallbladder disease.
14. You will not lose weight or maintain your weight loss unless you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This is the reason we stress long-term follow-up with our center and your doctor.

Gastric Bypass Benefits

1. People who have gastric bypass have a higher initial weight loss than those who have purely restrictive procedures like LAP-BAND® Surgery.  However, studies show that over time weight loss for these procedures tends to even out. 
2. Gastric bypass does not involve placing a foreign object (like a gastric band) inside your body, so you do not have to worry about having a reaction to the object or being allergic to it.
3. You will not need additional adjustments to make your stomach smaller, as with gastric bands, in order to lose more weight.
4. You can maintain good health as long as you:
   • Eat a healthy diet and take the right vitamin and mineral supplements
   • Work with our dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan
   • Continue your follow-up diet, exercise and behavioral program.
     

Gastric Bypass Risks

1. Anytime you have anesthesia or surgery, there is a risk of bleeding, blood clots, other complications or death.
2. Gastro-intestinal surgery can cause leaks, ulcers, perforations and internal hernia, bowel obstruction and fistulas.
3. Gastric surgery puts you at higher than normal risk of developing gallstones and gallbladder disease.
4. Do not smoke. Smoking would put you at high risk for infection, blood clots, slow healing and other life-threatening complications.
5. You will have to eat differently for the rest of your life.
   • Foods that you eat now may cause discomfort, nausea or vomiting after your
     surgery.
   • If you eat sugars and sweets, you can trigger dumping syndrome – symptoms
     can include nausea, weakness, sweating, anxiety and heart palpitations after
     eating. This is not usually a serious health risk, but it can be painful.
   • Bypassing part of your intestine limits your body’s absorption of some important vitamins and minerals: iron, calcium, Vitamin B12 and folic acid. You will need to take daily supplements for the rest of your life.
   • If you over eat, you can stretch your stomach opening (stoma) or pouch

• You will not lose weight or maintain your weight loss unless you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This is the reason we stress long-term follow-up with our center and your doctor

About Dr. Johnell & NCMC

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