What Are The Differences Between Gastric Bypass And Gastric Sleeving?

Gastric bypass and gastric sleeving are two types of weight loss procedures that can be perfect for the right patient looking to lose weight. And while they may sound the same, there are important distinctions between the two. In today’s blog, we’re going to take a closer look at the differences between these two popular weight loss procedures so that you can determine which one might be right for you.

Gastric Bypass And Gastric Sleeving

Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most common types of weight loss procedures in America. In this type of weight loss procedure, the surgeon resections part of your intestinal system so that food bypasses the majority of the stomach cavity, which is where the procedure gets its name from. The surgeon creates a small pouch from the stomach and connects this pouch directly to the small intestine so that upwards of 95 percent of your stomach can be bypassed.

Because you’ll now have a much smaller stomach cavity, you’ll feel fuller faster, limiting your food intake and helping to spur weight loss. Normally your stomach can hold about three pints of food, but after the procedure, your new stomach pouch will be about the size of a walnut and hold about an ounce, severely curbing your desire to continue eating once full.

The gastric sleeve procedure also works to kickstart weight loss by focusing on your stomach. During the sleeve procedure, your surgeon actually removes a large portion of the stomach and carefully staples the remaining tissue together to create a much smaller stomach cavity. Again, this helps a patient to feel full faster, consume fewer calories and help them lose weight.

What Are The Differences?

Both surgeries focus on creating a smaller holding area for food, but they go about this in different ways. With a gastric bypass operation, part of your small intestines are resectioned to the new stomach pouch that has been created. In a gastric sleeve procedure, the doctor only works on your stomach, leaving your small intestines intact. The other main difference between the two procedures is in how a person can expect to lose weight assuming they comply with their post-op rehabilitation plan.

Gastric bypass tends to produce more rapid results, as patients who stick to their recovery may be able to lose between 60 to 80 percent of excess weight within the first year after their procedure. Conversely, patients who pursue gastric sleeving who follow their post-op exercise and dietary recommendations can typically expect to lose 60 to 70 percent of excess weight in the first 18 months. Weight loss may be slower and steadier, but it is still highly effective.

The procedures are also similar in many ways. Both are effective in helping control obesity-related health issues like diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure, and both require about 2-4 weeks for full recovery after the operation.

For more information about either procedure, or to learn more about which procedure may be right for you, reach out to Dr. Bhatti and the team at the Bhatti Weight Loss Center today.