• Lower mortality rate - only one in 2,000 versus one in 200 for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery
• Fully reversible - stomach returns to normal if the band is removed
• No cutting or stapling of the stomach
• Shorter hospital stay
• Quicker recovery
• Adjustable without additional surgery
• No malabsorption issues (because no intestines are bypassed)
• Fewer life threatening complications

Effectiveness

The average gastric banding patient loses 500 grams to a kilogram (1-2 pounds) per week consistently, but heavier patients often lose faster in the beginning. This equals roughly 50 to 100 pounds after the first year for most band patients. It is important to keep in mind that while they drop the weight faster in the beginning, most of the RNY patients will have the same percentage of excess weight loss and comparable ability to keep it off after only a couple of years. Gastric banding patients may have to work a little harder in the first couple of years, but the procedure tends to encourage better eating habits which, in turn, helps in producing long term weight stability.

Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions (usually 0.5-1.5cm) as compared to larger incisions needed in traditional surgical procedures. Laparoscopic surgeons perform operations within the abdominal or pelvic cavities.

The key element in laparoscopic surgery is the use of a laparoscope or a telescopic rod lens system that is usually connected to a video camera. Also attached is a fiber optic cable system connected to a "cold" light source, to illuminate the operative field, inserted through a 5 mm or 10 mm cannula to view the operative field. The abdomen is usually insufflated with carbon dioxide gas to create a working and viewing space. The abdomen is essentially blown up like a balloon to elevate the abdominal wall above the internal organs like a dome. The gas used is CO2, as it is common to the human body and can be removed by the respiratory system if it absorbs through tissue. It is also non-flammable, which is important due to the fact that electrosurgical devices are commonly used in laparoscopic surgery.

Advantages to laparoscopic surgery versus an open surgical procedure:

• Reduced blood loss, which means less risk of needing a blood transfusion.
• Smaller incision, which means less pain and shorter recovery time. This also allows less risk of long-term complications from scar tissue associated with open surgery.
• Less pain, which means less pain medication needed.
• Although procedure times are usually slightly longer, hospital stay is shorter.  The patient is often discharged on the same day, which equals a faster return to everyday living and work.
• Reduced exposure of internal organs to possible external contaminants, thereby causing a reduced risk of acquiring infections.