Des Moines Bariatric Surgeon – Gastric Bypass and Lap Band Surgeons in Des Moines

Lap Band Surgery vs. Gastric Bypass in Des Moines

Among the most popular bariatric surgery procedures in Des Moines are adjustable gastric banding with Lap Band or Realize Band and gastric bypass surgery. Lap Band surgery involves the use of a silicone device that is surgically placed around the stomach to restrict food intake, resulting in gradual yet consistent weight loss. The Lap Band is adjusted via saline injections, which are used to tighten the band around the stomach. Saline can also be extracted from the band to loosen it and facilitate a more comfortable weight loss experience for some Des Moines weight loss surgery patients. In addition, the Lap Band/Realize Band can also be removed completely, if necessary.

Gastric bypass, on the other hand, is an irreversible weight loss surgery procedure that involves stapling the stomach and rerouting the intestines so that food bypasses the duodenum, thereby decreasing the absorption of nutrients. Another popular weight loss surgery procedure in Des Moines is gastric sleeve surgery.

Lap Band Surgery Cost vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery Cost

Lap Band cost usually ranges from $17,000 to $30,000, whereas gastric bypass cost can range from $18,000 to $35,000. These costs include all aspects of the surgery, such as anesthesia, facility costs and surgeon's fees, as well as a certain number of follow-up visits. Postoperative nutritional counseling, support groups and similar services are usually not included in Lap Band and gastric bypass surgery cost. Fortunately, most insurance carriers are beginning to cover weight loss surgery procedures for obese individuals who are at risk of developing a range of life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

The Cost of Post-Bariatric Body Contouring in Des Moines

Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover post-bariatric body contouring procedures such as panniculectomy, liposuction, breast enhancement and tummy tuck. But such procedures are often necessary for patients to achieve the best possible body figure by eliminating excess sagging skin and localized fat deposits that often remain following massive weight loss. To learn more about post-bariatric plastic surgery procedures, please visit a Des Moines plastic surgeon and ask to view tummy tuck before and after pictures.

For more information on being featured in the Weight Loss Surgeon Directory, please call (858) 454-5505.