Gastric Sleeve & Gastric Bypass: Which Is Right For You?

Published on May 4 , 2024 | 5 Minutes to Read

Bariatric surgery helps you lose weight. It is an option when you need to lose a lot of weight, especially when diets, exercise or medications have not worked.

Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass which one is for you? Two of the most common bariatric surgery procedures are gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery. These two procedures have similarities as well as key differences. Let’s take a closer look at both surgeries and what they entail including pros and cons and when to consider one over the other.

What’s the Difference Between These Two Surgeries?

Both gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery reduce stomach size from its existing size to a smaller pouch. It helps in losing weight in two ways:

#1: the pouch fills up quickly and you feel fuller earlier after eating less food

#2: the amount of ghrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone,” is reduced

Simply put, these two procedures differ in the way the new stomach pouch is created.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The surgeon removes about 85 percent of your stomach permanently. What remains is sewn into a small banana-shaped or sleeve-shaped stomach pouch. No other changes are made. As a result, the new capacity of the stomach becomes between 60 to 150 cc approximately, which depends on the surgeon’s final estimation. The bariatric surgeon keeps the outlet valves and nerves connecting to the stomach intact, which means the stomach function is not compromised despite the procedure.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is performed to cut away a part of the stomach. It is a permanent procedure that helps patients achieve and maintain weight loss goals.

The newly created stomach pouch is reconnected to the remaining small intestine and the bypassed part of the stomach is attached further down the small intestine. This allows for creation of the acid and digestive enzymes there. The portion of your small intestine that’s cut away from your stomach normally absorbs some nutrients and calories. As this section is bypassed, the absorption of those calories doesn’t happen and that contributes to your weight loss.

What about Common Risks and Complications?

Though the risk of major complication is about 4 percent, bariatric surgery is a relatively safe procedure. Surgical risk is much lower than the risk of developing serious obesity-related health complications.

However, there are some factors that tend to complicate any surgery and bariatric surgery is no exception too, which include:

Blood loss
Blood clotting in your leg or your lungs
Side effects of general anesthesia
Infection of incision
Postoperative pain
Injury to nearby organs: spleen requiring splenectomy (<1%), significant liver-bleeding (<1%), or potential for transfusions (<5%)

Complications from Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery may include the following complications:

acid reflux
leakage of stomach fluid
narrowing (stenosis) along the stomach pouch
stomach obstruction

Complications from Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgerymay include the following complications:

a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies due to bypassing part of your small intestine
increased sensitivity to alcohol
stomach ulcers
bowel obstruction
stomach perforation

What are the Pros and Cons?

Weight loss surgeries significantly reduce the risk for obesity-related conditions, such as:

type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
heart disease
stroke
fatty liver disease

Pros and Cons for Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Pros

Lose up to 65 percent of your excess body weight
Faster recovery compared with gastric bypass
Entail fewer issues with absorbing nutrients and vitamins
Dumping syndrome is less common

Gastric Sleeve Cons

Less weight loss compared to gastric bypass
Slower weight loss
Irreversible
Acid reflux propensity

Pros and Cons for Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass Pros

Lose up to 80 percent of your excess body weight
Fewer calories absorption
Faster weight loss

Gastric Bypass Cons

Two-step surgery, involving a higher risk of complications
Longer recovery than gastric sleeve surgery
Malabsorption of nutrients and vitamins due to intestinal bypass
Dumping syndrome is more common

Which One is Right for You?

The type of weight loss surgery that will be right for you depends on several factors. Those factors are as follows:

Your weight
Your medical history
Health conditions
Your weight loss goals

Talk to a bariatric surgeon about these factors. Your doctor will tell you whether bariatric surgery is an option for you or not. Together you can decide if one type of surgery is better suited for you.

Final Thought

Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are both types of bariatric or weight loss procedures. These two procedures have similarities as well as differences. If you think you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery, talk to your doctor or bariatric surgeon about the risks and benefits of these procedures and others. Your doctor can advise you whether bariatric sleeve or bariatric bypass surgery is right for you.

If you want to consult with one of the top doctors for weight loss surgery options and details, book your appointment with Dr. Ravi Rao, whom you can see at Perth Surgical & Bariatrics.

https://www.perthsurgicalbariatrics.com.au/which-weight-loss-procedure-is-the-right-one-for-you/

https://www.perthsurgicalbariatrics.com.au/understanding-roux-en-y-gastric-bypass-surgery-for-weight-loss/

Gastric Sleeve & Gastric Bypass: Which Is Right For You?