You do have several choices for bariatric surgery. Los Angeles bariatric lapband surgery is just one of these options. You should look at all your alternatives before making a choice on the type of weight loss surgery that you think will work best for you.

The two most popular weight loss surgical procedures are the Lap Band and Roux-en-Y (RNY). The biggest majority of weight loss surgeries performed are the RNY, although the lap band is rapidly growing in popularity due to its lower cost and low risk.

Simply put, with RNY the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples or a plastic band. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine (jejunum), bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum).

With lap band surgery, the surgeon places an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. Squeezed by the silicone band, the stomach becomes a pouch with about an inch-wide outlet. After banding, the stomach can only hold about an ounce of food. A plastic tube runs from the silicone band to a device just under the skin. Saline (sterile salt water) can be injected or removed through the skin, flowing into or out of the silicone band. Injecting saline fills the band and makes it tighter.

Many doctors consider the RNY a more permanent solution, because the amount of calories that can be absorbed is reduced due to the relocation of the small intestine. But the lap band is a considerably less invasive of a surgery than the RNY. There are facilities that are performing the lap band procedure on an outpatient basis and you can often return to work in a week or less. You are probably going to lose more weight with a RNY, but both of these surgeries will get you back to a healthy weight. Only you can decide if Los Angeles bariatric lapband surgery is right for you.