The type of surgery that may be best to help a person lose weight depends on a number of factors. You should discuss with your doctor what kind of surgery might be best for you or your teen.

What is the difference between open and laparoscopic surgery?

In open bariatric surgery, surgeons make a single, large cut in the abdomen. More often, surgeons now use laparoscopic surgery, in which they make several small cuts and insert thin surgical tools through the cuts. Surgeons also insert a small scope attached to a camera that projects images onto a video monitor. Laparoscopic surgery has fewer risks than open surgery and may cause less pain and scarring than open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery also may lead to a faster recovery.

Open surgery may be a better option for certain people. If you have a high level of obesity, have had stomach surgery before, or have other complex medical problems, you may need open surgery.

What are the surgical options?

In the United States, surgeons use three types of operations most often:

• laparoscopic adjustable gastric band
• gastric sleeve surgery, also called sleeve gastrectomy
• gastric bypass

Surgeons use a fourth operation, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, less often.