Maintaining healthy weight is crucial for your overall health, especially to avoid conditions related to obesity. But, sometimes, it can become challenging to reach your weight goals. The pills, diet plans, and exercise might not work for you. So if you’re worried about your weight, why don’t you explore bariatric surgery? Gastric sleeves and gastric bypasses make the list of the most common bariatric surgeries. Keep reading to see what’s the difference between gastric sleeve vs. gastric bypass surgery.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery refers to surgical procedures that alter an individual’s digestive system to help them lose weight. This procedure is an effective alternative way to lose weight for those who meet the medical criteria. Therefore, it is an option people explore when diet and exercise prove to be ineffective.
It helps reduce the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and more.
What are the Differences Between Gastric Sleeve Vs. Gastric Bypass?
Although both gastric sleeve and gastric bypass reduce your stomach size, they have some differences. The surgeon will remove about 80% of your stomach when it comes to gastric sleeve surgery, and you’ll have a banana-shaped stomach pouch.
Comparatively, gastric bypass surgery involves bypassing most of the stomach (to create a new stomach pouch) and first part of the small intestine. Then, the stomach pouch is reattached to the rest of your small intestine. Furthermore, the bypassed stomach part is also connected further down the small intestine. This ensures that acid is provided and digestive enzymes are produced.
Here are some differences other than the procedure:
1. Weight Loss
Knowing the expected weight after surgery can help you make an informed decision about which procedure to go for. You should also know that implementing healthy exercises and diet is important for effective results.
Gastric bypass can help patients lose 60 to 80% of additional body weight in the first year. On the other hand, it can take 3 years for gastric sleeve patients to lose between 50 to 70% of extra body weight.
2. Time of Procedure
The procedure time might help you decide which surgery to pick. The gastric bypass procedure is a two-step surgery, making it more complicated. In comparison, gastric sleeve is a one-step procedure and takes relatively less time. On average, gastric bypass takes 2 hours and 44,8 minutes, whereas gastric sleeve surgery takes 1 hour and 10.4 minutes.
3. Risks & Complications
Complications and risks are possible with every medical procedure. However, there isn’t surety that you would face the risks. Like any other medical procedure, bariatric surgery also has its complications. The most prominent one is dumping syndrome, which is more common for people who get gastric bypass surgery. Gastric sleeve patients can also get this condition, but the risk is comparatively lower.
What Should I Do?
If you can’t decide which option is better, between gastric sleeve vs. gastric bypass, a professional can help. Learn how they’re different, which option you should pick, and if you’re even medically suitable for either procedure. Our NOVA Bariatrics and Minimally Invasive Surgery team is always here to help you with your weight loss, whether surgical or medical. Dial (469) 639-0953 to schedule an appointment today.