Weight Loss Surgery: Which Procedure Should I Choose?
SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
This procedure reduces the amount of food you can consume by surgically removing about 80% of the stomach. The remaining 20% and the connection to the small intestines stay intact. No re-routing of the food stream. Like the gastric bypass, it promotes satiety, suppresses hunger and can improve symptoms of diabetes type 2.
- Surgery takes about 1-2 hours
- 1-2 days in the hospital
- Bigger part of the stomach is removed
- Back to normal activities after 3-5 weeks
Pros
- Induces rapid weight loss comparable to the gastric bypass
- Allows you to maintain a diet without being hungry
- Reduces appetite and enhances satiety
- No foreign objects or rerouting of the food stream
- Shorter hospital stay of 1-2 days
Cons
- Non-reversible
- Requires life-long supplementation of vitamins
GASTRIC BYPASS
This procedure reduces the amount of food you can consume by surgically disconnecting about 85% of the stomach from the food stream. A smaller pouch is formed from the upper part of the stomach and re-routed directly into the small intestines. It further promotes satiety, suppresses hunger, can improve symptoms of diabetes type 2 and 95% of patients experience improvements in quality of life.
- Surgery takes about 2-3 hours
- 2-3 or more days in the hospital
- Bigger part of the stomach is disconnected but remains functional
- Back to normal activities after 3-5 weeks
Pros
- Long-term weight loss of 60 - 80% of excess weight
- Allows you to maintain a diet without being hungry
- Reduces appetite and enhances satiety
- Considered gold standard of weight loss surgery
Cons
- 2-3 or more days in the hospital
- Higher risk of complications due to the more complex nature of the procedure
- Requires life-long supplementation of vitamins
