The non-surgical medical attempts to cure obesity are many, but the results aren't that great and generally tend to be discouraging. Doctor recommended diets are numerous and for some they work well, but for others, the long-term sustained weight loss doesn't occur. Behavior modification tends to be more effective, but then again, weight-regain is common when the patient doesn't abide by the learnt behavior. So, what is the answer? Well truthfully, there isn't any simple one answer to help cure obesity.

There is a more natural and less invasive surgical option to help cure obesity and to help those attain optimal health. For those patients who are severely obese, there is the gastric lap band procedure. This surgical procedure calls for a gastric band to be placed around the stomach, creating a smaller pouch.

Gastric Bypass vs. The Lap Band

The Gastric Bypass, sometimes referred to as the Roux en-Y Gastric Bypass, is the only bariatric procedure that appears to combine both volume restriction and malabsorption. In the procedure, the stomach is transected and separated from the stomach pouch. Generally, a stomach pouch the size of a grape is created, and the rest of the stomach is divided and separated. A portion of the small intestine, or bowel, is then attached to the pouch which allows the food to “bypass” the separated, larger portion of the stomach. This surgery typically requires 2--4 days in the hospital and 1--6 weeks of recovery. It is important to note that this a potentially dangerous surgery and can cost between $25,000 and $40,000, or more.

The Gastric Lap Band procedure is a simple laparoscopic surgery that is far less invasive than other bariatric procedures such as the Gastric Bypass and is fully reversible. Because it has no malabsorptive components, the Gastric Lap Band system induces weight loss solely through restriction of food intake. Lap Band patients generally experience a healthy, gradual weight loss of approximately 1-2 pounds per week over the first year, and up to 40-60% of their total excess body weight within the first few years.