Gastric band and gastric bypass surgeries are among the most common types of weight-loss procedures for people who are obese. The difference between the two procedures involves how food intake is restricted. The operations are recommended for patients who suffer from other health conditions and for those who need the surgery to avoid the risks of obesity, which include heart disease and diabetes.

With adjustable gastric band surgery, the surgeon inserts a small band around the top of the stomach, WebMD explained. The procedure limits how much food is allowed to go into the stomach, thereby limiting the food intake and managing weight.

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A small balloon inside the band controls the tightness around the stomach. A port placed under the skin of the abdomen connects to the band, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fluid can be injected or removed through the port to adjust the size. The band makes people feel fuller to avoid further eating. Gastric banding does not reduce absorption of calories and nutrients into the body as gastric bypass surgery does.

In gastric bypass surgery, also referred to as Roux-en-Y bypass, a small pouch is created at the top of the stomach to limit the amount of food and liquid intake. A portion of the small intestine is cut to shorten the distance to the stomach as food flows to the pouch. The difference is that fewer nutrients and calories are absorbed from bypass surgery because food bypasses the portion of the small intestine.

Gastric band or bypass surgery is effective when patients change their eating patterns and have regular medical check-ups. A difference between gastric band and bypass surgery involves nutrients. Patients who have had gastric bypass procedures may have vitamin and mineral deficiencies and need to take supplements, according to Medical News Today.

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Both procedures are done through a laparoscope, which uses a camera for the surgeon to make small incisions.

The surgeries help control a person’s eating habits, but patients often need to follow strict diets to maintain a healthy weight. Snacking on or eating unhealthy foods that promote fat accumulation can cause patients to regain some of the weight they have lost following surgery, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

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