Gastric Bypass vs Gastric Sleeve Surgery
About 180,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in 2013, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), representing a significant increase from 158,000 just two years earlier. Of the surgeries performed in 2013, about 42 percent were gastric sleeve procedures (also called sleeve gastrectomy), while just over 34 percent of patients underwent gastric bypass surgery (also referred to as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery), making them the two most popular laparoscopic techniques for weight-loss surgery in the U.S.
While both approaches can help patients lose considerable amounts of weight – from 50 to 80 percent within the first two years, there are some important difference between the techniques, and if you’re considering making either technique part of your weight-loss journey, it’s important to know – and understand – these differences.
Gastric Bypass Surgery vs. Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Key Differences
Gastric bypass surgery divides the stomach into two portions, leaving a small pouch about the size of a ping-pong ball to act as the “new” stomach. This pouch is attached to the middle section of your small intestine, bypassing the upper portion of the intestine where most calories are absorbed. The larger portion of the stomach is left in place and intact, making it less “aggressive” compared to gastric sleeve surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery also divides the stomach but removes the majority of the organ, including the portion that produces most of a “hunger hormone” called grehlin. The remaining sleeve-shaped portion serves as your “new” stomach. The intestine is not bypassed so the risk of nutritional deficiency that can occur with bypass surgery is decreased, but your stomach is permanently and significantly altered.
Both techniques are considered irreversible, so it’s very important to determine which one is the better choice before making a commitment. Both techniques also carry certain risks, including nausea, vomiting and other digestion-related effects, but as long as you follow your doctor’s guidance, these effects can largely be avoided.
Which weight loss technique is right for you?
The only way to know which method will be the best choice for you is to schedule an evaluation so we can learn about your health history, your lifestyle and your weight-loss goals. A physical exam and a review of your medical history can provide important information about your health that can help guide treatment. Plus, we can discuss in detail the important changes these surgeries can bring about in your life so you feel confident with the approach you’ve selected.
Learn More at Our Long Island Weight Loss Clinic
Obesity can have life-threatening consequences. At Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors, we provide the most advanced, effective and safest techniques for weight-loss surgery, helping both women and men get rid of unwanted pounds so they can lead healthier lives and feel more confident about themselves. If you’d like to learn more about the gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedures or if you’re interested in learning about other techniques, give us a call today at 631-206-6924 or visit our website and chat with a representative.