Which Surgery Is For Me?

Many patients ask this question and the only person who will ultimately answer that question will be YOU. However, your surgeon and the entire program here at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City is here to help you find the information you need to make an informed decision. Keep in mind that the more you know, about the options you have, the better decision you will be able to make.

Here at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City, laparoscopic weight loss surgery is only performed on patients that qualify according the National Institute of Health’s standards set in 1991. This means that in order for patients to qualify to be a candidate for either surgery, they have to meet the same standards as outlined in “Am I a Candidate.”

Both the LapBand gastric banding and the Roux-en-Y gastric stapling procedures are performed for the same elective purpose, which is to decrease a patient’s body mass index with the goal of correcting patients’ co-morbidities and increasing their general level of wellness. These surgeries are not meant to be cosmetic in nature, and they were not designed with a specific population of patients in mind.

For example, neither surgery is better suited for “larger” or “smaller” patients. So when a patient asks, “I have a smaller BMI so shouldn’t I have a Lap Band surgery?” The answer is “Not necessarily!” There are many other factors to consider besides your body mass index, including your lifestyle, your eating habits, how motivated your are, how quickly you want or need to lose weight, your feelings about invasive surgery, whether you desire a reversible surgery, pregnancy considerations, etc.

We hope that when you attend our informational seminar, talk with our staff, and meet with your surgeon, you will be able to gather the information you need to help make this important decision. We also encourage you to network with other patients and to research informative websites including these links we have listed for you.