Change Your Life! - UT Medicine Medical-Surgical Weight Loss Center, San Antonio, Texas

There are a variety of Internet sites dedicated to counseling people about the medical requirements and benefits of lap gastric bypass. The best source of information can be found through the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

According to a 2004 bariatrics article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the procedure's many advantages include:

83.7% of Type 2 diabetes cases are resolved, often within days of surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery successfully resolves more Type 2 diabetes cases than purely restrictive procedures
Substantial weight reduction: 61.6% of excess weight is lost.
96.9% of hyperlipidemia cases are resolved.
87.1% of hypertension cases are resolved or improved.
A substantial improvement in a patient's overall quality of life: excess weight is lost, many weight-related health problems are resolved, improved appearance, improved social life, improved chances to obtain and retain employment.

Less pain
Faster recovery
Faster initial weight loss
Lower re-operation rates
Smaller incisions (cosmetic)
Lower chances of a blood clot forming
Lower overall mortality rate

All our patients are considered for laparoscopic surgery. In our experience, only a very few people are not candidates for this approach. We encourage all patients who are denied laparoscopic surgery by other surgeons to seek our opinion Ñ or a second opinion Ñ before taking 'no' for an answer.

Educational videos:

Lap Band vs. Lap Gastric Bypass - Which is best for you?

Which procedure is best for you is a decision you, your surgeon and your primary care physician should make together. Work closely with your healthcare team. Be an informed patient - your health depends on it.

Lap Band

Lap Gastric Bypass

Insurance coverage (if weight-loss surgery is covered benefit)

Sometimes

Always

Out-of-pocket cost if not covered by insurance

$13,000 to $18,000

$18,000 to $25,000

Reversibility

Complete with >90% weight regain

Incomplete

Mortality rate (varies by surgeon and individual patient)

<0.5%

<0.5%

Leak rate

<0.5%

<1%

Re-operation rate

10% to 50%

2% to 6%

Lifestyle impairment

Significant

Mild

Appetite suppression

Mild

Significant

Follow-up requirements

Vigorous; every 2 months for 1st year

More spaced out & less intense

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