There are several types of gastric bypass surgery performed in the United States. Working with your doctor to determine which procedure is best for your health situation is one of the most important decisions to make regarding weight loss surgery.

The most commonly used gastric bypass is the Roux en Y procedure. This can be done either laparoscopically, which is preferred, or through open surgery. The Roux en Y procedure reduces the size of the stomach through stapling, and bypasses the upper portion of the bowel or small intestine. These two changes modify the volume of food that can be consumed and the absorption of the nutrients and calories from that food. The shorter bowel also more quickly triggers the feeling of fullness and satisfaction from eating.

The lap band procedure is also a quite commonly used type of weight loss surgery. Although it is technically not a “bypass” because there is no change in the attachment of the bowel or intestine, this procedure restricts the size of the stomach only. The restricted size of the stomach controls the amount of food a person can comfortably eat. Digestion is not modified, which reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies that can occur with the Roux en Y procedure. The lap band has similar long term results for patients committed to changing their eating and lifestyle habits; however, initially the weight loss is slower than with the Roux en Y. After one year of following post-surgical instructions, patients with lap band and Roux en Y have similar weight loss results.

The mini-gastric bypass is another option when considering the types of gastric bypass surgery. The mini-gastric bypass is a quick surgery with faster recovery times than the Roux en Y. With the mini-gastric bypass the stomach is stapled into a sleeve that is directly attached to the lower end of the intestine. This procedure is not as commonly used, and may not be offered in all areas of the country.