What it is
Surgeon removes about 80 percent of stomach, creating a long, banana-shaped pouch.
Pros
- Greater weight loss than gastric band.
- No changes to intestines.
- No objects placed in body.
- Short hospital stay.
Cons
- Cannot be reversed.
- Chance of vitamin shortage.
- Higher chance of surgery-related problems than gastric band.
- Chance of acid reflux.
What it is
Surgeon staples top part of stomach, creating a small pouch and attaching it to middle part of small intestine.
Pros
- Greater weight loss than gastric band.
- No objects placed in body.
Cons
- Difficult to reverse.
- Higher chance of vitamin shortage than gastric band or gastric sleeve.
- Higher chance of surgery-related problems than gastric band.
- May increase risk of alcohol use disorder.
What it is
Surgeon places an inflatable band around top part of stomach, creating a small pouch with an adjustable opening.
Pros
- Can be adjusted and reversed.
- Short hospital stay and low risk of surgery-related problems.
- No changes to intestines.
- Lowest chance of vitamin shortage.
Cons
- Less weight loss than other types of bariatric surgery.
- Frequent follow-up visits to adjust band; some people may not adapt to band.
- Possible future surgery to remove or replace a part or all of the band system.
Adapted from: Bariatric surgery procedures. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) website. asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures . Accessed May 24, 2016.
