Below is a guide to understanding the differences between gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. The contrasts between these two surgeries are stark and can lead to common misunderstandings.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric Bypass is the most performed weight loss surgery in the United States. Considered the “gold standard” of bariatrics, gastric bypass is performed roughly 140,000 times in the United States alone.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric Sleeve is a restrictive procedure that is quickly gaining notoriety among bariatric surgeons, because of its efficacy. Recent studies suggest that gastric sleeve works not only as a primer surgery but as a stand-alone surgery itself.
Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass:
Name:
Gastric Sleeve
RNY Gastric Bypass
Method
Restrictive
Reduces Stomach Size and Hunger Hormone Ghrelin
Restrictive & Malabsorptive
New Stomach Created (stoma)
Alters Digestion to Induce malabsoprtion
Stomach Alterations
Stomach size reduced
85% of the stomach is removed, leaving 3.5 oz capacity.
New Stomach is Created: Stoma.
Stomach is bypassed, with a new smaller stomach (stoma) created with intestines.
Changes to Intestine
No Change
Cut and Bypassed
Stoma is bypassed, then connected to the intestines. This induces malabsorption.
“Gold Standard” weight loss surgery, with many studies showing effectiveness.
Disadvantages
Newer surgery with long-term results somewhat unknown
Stomach Could Enlarge
Significant lifetime changes to diet and eating.
Leakage, Bleeding, Vomiting all occur.
Daily Supplements and Vitamins Required.
Dumping Syndrome can occur.
Surgery Description
Stomach is cut, then sutured and stapled in a vertical shape. The 3.5 oz remaining stomach then induces patients who feel fuller faster and thus induce weight loss.
Stoma (about 1/20-30cc) is connected to the small intestine. The small stomach induces smaller food capacity, the malabsorption induces calories to bypass without being absorbed.
Expectations
Patients can expect to lose 60%-70% of excess weight in about 2 years.
