One advantage to the lap band surgery is that the stomach or small intestine is not cut or re-routed. This makes the lap band surgery reversible should the need arise in the future. The lap band placement does not create absorption problems or malnutrition as in gastric bypass.

The surgery itself is much shorter. Average length of time is 45 minutes to one hour. A shorter surgery makes the anesthesia risk less, as well. Lap band surgery has fewer complications than other weight loss surgery.

Recovery time is also less. Some people are able to return to work within two or three days post-band surgery. Compare this to the weeks needed to recover from bypass surgery.

With the gastric band, weight loss is slower. This allows time for your body to adjust to the changes. Skin has time to shrink back and most people do not have a large apron of fat or huge amounts of loose skin after weight loss with gastric banding.

These are just a few of the lap band surgery advantages. Gastric banding is a viable, less invasive alternative to other types of weight loss surgery.