There are two basic bariatric surgery operations performed at the University Community Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center in Tampa, Florida. These weight loss surgery options are the gastric bypass surgery and the Lap Band surgery. In general, patients who are candidates for weight loss surgery may chose between the gastric bypass and the Lap Band. However, there may be factors which make one of these operations more appropriate for an individual patient.

Gastric Bypass
With a gastric bypass, the majority of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine are bypassed and a very small stomach pouch is created. This operation is restrictive, in that only a small amount of food will fit into the newly created pouch. It is also malabsorptive, in that only a portion of the food that is swallowed is absorbed into the body. The gastric bypass can usually be performed with a laparoscope.

For a detailed image of gastric bypass, click here .

LAP BAND
The Lap Band is a device that is positioned around the upper stomach. It is connected by tubing to a "port" that fits under the skin of the abdomen. Filling this port with fluid will cause the Band to tighten around the upper stomach. This device is restrictive in that only a small amount of food will fit into the stomach above the Band. The Band is almost always performed with a laparoscope.

For a detailed image of Lap Band, click here .

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