Bariatric surgery offers options for many people who have struggled with obesity. Each option offers something specific depending on lifestyle, health, and weight loss goals. However, the benefits associated with the surgery go far beyond just weight loss and provide overall wellness and quality of life. Those seeking weight loss surgery in Texas should read about the following two standard procedures:
Both options are highly effective in aiding in significant weight reduction. To help clarify their differences, here is a comparison breakdown of the two surgeries:
Gastric Bypass vs. Gastric Sleeve
In gastric bypass surgery, the large portion of the stomach is detached, and a small pouch is left behind. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. This causes the individual to receive only a fraction of the calories they could obtain before.
The gastric sleeve surgery, in comparison, has a portion of the stomach completely removed during the procedure instead of leaving part of the stomach dormant. The stomach will then resemble the shape of a banana and will be completely functional. As with bypass, calories are reduced significantly as the stomach can no longer store large amounts of food.
So, what are the differences between Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve?
In most cases, a Gastric Sleeve is just as effective as a Gastric Bypass which accounts for its rise as one of the fastest growing options for weight loss surgery in the U.S. During a Gastric Bypass, the stomach is divided but not removed, while the nerves to the stomach and the pylorus (the outlet valve that regulates the release of food from the stomach to the small intestine) are removed. During a Gastric Sleeve, while a portion of the stomach is removed, the pylorus remains intact thus allowing for the preservation of stomach function while reducing stomach volume. The major benefit of the Gastric Sleeve is the ability to preserve the integrity of the pylorus valve. This allows for a less invasive – and therefore, a lower risk – surgery. Additionally, because the pylorus controls the amount of food that is released from the stomach to the small intestine, there is an advantage to allowing it to continue to do its job.
For more information, reach out to your Nicholson Clinic and discuss which treatment option will work best for you.
