Bariatric surgery offers options for many people who may have otherwise continued to struggle with obesity. Each option offers something specific depending on your lifestyle, your health, and your weight loss goals. Two choices are “gastric bypass” and “gastric sleeve”. These procedures are similar but have their own set of benefits and risks.
Regardless of which operation you choose to go with, following your pre-op and post diet is important for safe and successful results.
Both procedures are effective in helping to prevent these obesity-related conditions:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- High cholesterol
When selecting the operation that’s right for you, it can be helpful to go over the similarities and variations between the two types of bariatric surgeries.
How Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve Surgery Compare
Patients who undergo gastric bypass will typically stay one night in the hospital. Sleeve gastrectomy is usually an outpatient procedure, and the patient is discharged to go home the same day, but if medically indicated, the patient could stay overnight.
The Distinctions between Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve
Gastric bypass creates a pouch at the top of the stomach and is connected to the intestine so food can bypass the stomach. Patients can drive once they’re off pain meds, typically 3-4 days, and can usually work from home within 4-5 days. Patients can expect to lose 70 to 80 percent of their weight within the first year.
The gastric sleeve operation removes part of the stomach, causing the stomach to be sleeve shaped. Patients can drive once they’re off pain meds, typically 3-4 days, and can work from home within 4-5 days. Patients are expected to lose up to 70 percent of their weight in 12-18 months.
Is Gastric Bypass better than Gastric Sleeve?
Both of these surgeries are effective methods for weight loss. However, gastric bypass surgery is more invasive and has more risks.
Gastric sleeve surgery is a less invasive procedure and has fewer risks. Therefore, gastric sleeve surgery is the better option for most people. However, if you have any questions or concerns, reach out to a specialist at our bariatric center in Texas and we can help guide you down the right operational path.
If gastric sleeve failed to achieve lasting or desired weight loss, a patient may elect to have a gastric sleeve revision, followed by gastric bypass.
If gastric bypass failed to achieve desired results, revisional procedures are available, although very complex procedures, as such, it is important to select a surgeon with a high level of experience. The revisional experts at Nicholson Clinic and would be happy to meet with you to see if a bypass revision is a good option.