Ok so can someone please tell me if there is a difference in haveing a Gastric bypass or Stomach stapling. I thought that they were the same surgery but I have been talking to some of my friends and they seem to think that they are two differnent kinds of surgery. Im a little confused http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif so any info would be greatly appriecated. Thank You.
Take Care
~Cooki

Stapling means you put staples across the stomach so there is only small opening left for food to go through.

In gastric bypass you put staples (stitches) across the stomach so the stomach lumen is completely closed. Then you cut the small bowell about 40cm below duodenum. The proximal (upper) part of small bowel is closed with stitches. The distal (lower) part of small bowel is pulled up and connected to the upper part of stomach, just above the staples (stitches) placed across the stomach. So, when you eat, the food is going from the upper part of stomach directly to the lower part of small bowel avoiding the low part of stomach, duodenum, and upper part of small bowel.

Just to complicate matter more, there is a new procedure that involves putting a band around the abdomen (to decrease its capacity). It is less invasive than the other procedures, so will probably gain in popularity.

Thank you very much! I didnt know that they were two different surgeries. By any chance Auntjudyg, do you know the name of this other procedure? I just wanted to do some research on it thank you again.
Take Care
~Cooki

I'm not sure of the official name, but if you search "stomach banding" you will come up with info.

Good luck!

Thank you very much
TAKE CARE
~Cooki