Lap-band VS Gastric Bypass For Diabetes Treatment

Research recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists demonstrated efficacy in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding as an option for obtaining long-term weight loss, and as an effective treatment in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Compared to patients who had the gastric bypass, Lap-band patients had more gradual weight loss, maintained more muscle mass, and better preserved their basal metabolic rate. This suggests that Lap-band patients may have an improved ability to maintain their weight loss over the long term. Another advantage the Lap-band may have over the gastric bypass is that the FDA has approved the procedure for diabetic patients with a body mass index (BMI) as low as 30. These patients are not generally referred for the gastric bypass. Drs. Keith Wright and Gerardo Carcamo with South Texas Surgeons are available for consultation to further discuss this research in more detail, and to help you decide if weight loss surgery is right for you.