Difference Between Gastric Sleeve And Gastric Bypass

Obesity has become an epidemic in America. According to The Center For Disease Control (CDC) more than two thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese. Obesity increases your risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, certain types of cancer, and other health problems.
If you have been diagnosed as obese according to BMI index, it’s time to take action. You should know that this condition is treatable through lifestyle changes and proper diet management. There are many different ways to lose weight like exercise, supplements, and even surgery. One of these options is called bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is also referred to as Weight Loss Surgery (WLS). Some people prefer to undergo this procedure because they believe that it will help them achieve long term results faster. However, there are some risks associated with this type of surgery. Therefore, it is important for you to learn about all aspects related to this type of operation so that you can make informed decision.
The most common form of bariatric surgery performed today is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). This is what we call “gastric sleeve” which means cutting off a large portion of stomach leaving only small pouch inside. We perform this operation usually when patient’s BMI is greater than 40 or 35 if combined with obesity related diseases such as Type II Diabetes or Sleep Apnea. Another method is known as gastric banding. This is where surgeon wraps the size of a banana around the top part of our stomach creating a kind of a small ball. Our stomach looks a bit like a water balloon. Both these surgeries are considered safe but not without any side effects. They may lead to complications like bleeding, infection etc. If you want to find out how much weight you would be able to lose after having RYGBP or gastric banding, please consult with your doctor first. He/she will discuss this matter with you based on your medical history and current state of health.
Now let’s talk about another popular option – gastric bypass. This is commonly known as “gastric sleeve”. When someone says “sleeve”, he/she is referring to removal of about 3 feet of the stomach. As soon as this happens, less nutrients pass into the duodenum and most of it goes straight to the intestines. After removing the majority of the stomach, surgeons create small channel connecting esophagus directly to the intestine. This provides new path for digested food to travel down by gravity and helps us feel fuller sooner. Once the removed stomach is placed back, it creates a little pouch at the top while the rest of the space becomes the small intestine. Surgeons then reconnect the remaining stomach and the small intestine by wrapping the upper section of the small intestine around the lower end of the remaining stomach creating a Y shaped tube.
Both RYGBP and gastric bypass are majorly effective in treating obesity. Studies show that RYGBP reduces overall body fat mass by up to 65%. Patients who underwent this procedure lost an average of 55% of their excess body weight within one year. On the contrary, patients who had gastric bypass procedure lost an average of 50% of their excess body weight within 1 year.
There are several differences between RYGBP and gastric bypass. First of all, the outcomes are achieved in completely different ways. RYGBP involves total absorption of digestive juices while gastric bypass removes the majority of them. Secondly, after RYGBP the patient experiences rapid weight loss whereas the same cannot be said about gastric bypass patients. Thirdly, the recovery period after RYGBP lasts longer compared to gastric bypass. Fourthly, the cost of RYGBP is higher than gastric bypass. Lastly, once you’ve undergone RYGBP, you’re done with the operation. But after having gastric bypass, you’ll need to come back every 6 months to check your progress.
It is important to note that although both RYGBP and gastric bypass are highly effective in reducing excess body weight, each of these procedures has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Before deciding whether to go under the knife, make sure to consider all sides of the story carefully. Consult with your physician and weigh all pros and cons. Only you can decide if this is right choice for you.
In conclusion, I just wanted to point out that there are many other forms of bariatric surgery available. Please don’t think that choosing RYGBP or gastric bypass is the only option. Other forms include adjustable gastric band which is basically a metal ring that is wrapped around the top part of the stomach. Or vertical gastroplasty where instead of removing most of our stomach, the surgeon cuts away a lot of the fundus. These procedures are used mainly for those whose BMI is above 40 or 35 if coupled with obesity related diseases. So keep in mind that there are lots of alternatives to choose from. Don’t get me wrong here, I am biased towards RYGBP and gastric bypass myself but I do acknowledge that there are other viable choices out there. Take advantage of these alternative surgical procedures and save yourself from becoming a statistic.

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