Today individuals who are suffering from obesity have several different options for medical intervention. They can choose to undergo bariatric surgery, or there are now also endoscopically performed procedures that do not require any incisions or surgery.
The most popular form of bariatric surgery is the gastric sleeve, followed by gastric bypass surgery, and today we will be looking at a comparison of gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass surgery. We will look at what each surgery involves as well as gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass pros and cons. Next, we will look at a non-surgical procedure that offers similar results to a gastric sleeve but offers several advantages over bariatric surgery.
What Are The Differences Between Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Today most bariatric surgery is performed laparoscopically, meaning instead of using one long incision, four to five smaller incisions are created on the individual’s abdomen and used as entry points for special medical tools to gain access to the procedure location. There is less risk of experiencing complications and a shorter recovery time compared to open surgery.
Both gastric sleeve and gastric bypass have requirements that must be met before patients are eligible to undergo the surgery. The most basic requirement for both is that the patient must have a BMI of at least 40 or a BMI of between 35 and 39.9 and also suffer from one or more obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension, etc.
Gastric Sleeve
- Surgery Basics
- Gastric sleeve surgery involves the surgical removal of about 80% of the patient’s stomach. The remaining portion of the stomach is shaped into a small tube-shaped pouch and secured with medical staples. There are no changes made to other parts of the digestive system.
- Pre-Surgery
- Patients usually must follow a liver-shrinking diet, which can vary in length, followed by an all-liquid diet that can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before undergoing the surgery.
- Surgical Time
- Gastric sleeve surgery usually takes about an hour and forty minutes.
- Recovery Time
- An average of four to six weeks.
- Average Weight Loss
- Patients typically lose about 60% to 70% of their excess body weight in 12 to 18 months. Excess body weight is the difference between the patient’s current weight and their goal weight.
Gastric Bypass
- Surgery Basics
- Gastric bypass is also commonly called Roux-en-Y surgery and involves not only the reduction of the patient’s stomach size but also a section of their intestine being rerouted to skip much of the digestion process. The surgeon divides the stomach into two sections using surgical staples so that one section is much smaller than the other. Then, a section of the small intestine is disconnected and reattached so that the food that is consumed goes through a shorter digestive process, and the body does not have time to absorb all the calories or nutrients.
- Pre-Surgery
- Most individuals have to follow a special diet before their bypass to shrink their liver, which can last a few weeks to a few months. Then they move to an all-liquid diet phase right up until their surgery, which can last anywhere from several days to several weeks.
- Surgical Time
- Gastric bypass surgery usually takes about two hours and forty-five minutes.
- Recovery Time
- An average of six to eight weeks.
- Average Weight Loss
- Patients typically lose about 65% to 80% of their excess body weight in 12 to 18 months. The difference between what they currently weigh and what is considered a healthy weight.
to see the entire table
| Category | Gastric Sleeve | Gastric Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery Basics | Removes ~80% of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped pouch. No changes to the intestines. | Reduces stomach size and reroutes intestines to shorten digestion and limit calorie absorption. |
| Pre-Surgery | Liver-shrinking diet followed by an all-liquid diet for several days to weeks. | Special liver-shrinking diet for weeks to months, followed by an all-liquid diet for several days to weeks. |
| Surgical Time | ~1 hour 40 minutes | ~2 hours 45 minutes |
| Recovery Time | 4 to 6 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Average Weight Loss | 60–70% of excess body weight in 12–18 months | 65–80% of excess body weight in 12–18 months |
Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass Pros And Cons
Any type of surgical procedure involves possible risks and complications, so it is important to understand what these are and weigh them against the benefits the surgery provides. Here is a chart that outlines the gastric sleeve vs gastric bypass pros and cons.
to see the entire table
| Pros | Cons | Potential Complications |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve | ||
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| Gastric Bypass | ||
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Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass: Which Is Better?
There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for treating obesity, and the best form of medical intervention can be different for each person. The best way to determine which treatment is best for you is to consult with an obesity-trained expert like Dr. Okeefe Simmons, with Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions.
Surgery may be the best option for some, but new endoscopic procedures like endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty or an intragastric balloon may work better for others.
Key Factors to Help You Choose the Right Procedure
Some things to consider that may affect which procedure is the best choice for someone include:
- Gastric bypass is more invasive but offers a higher weight loss potential;
- Patients who have very extreme metabolic issues due to their weight may benefit more from gastric bypass surgery because they can lose a substantial amount of weight rapidly;
- Individuals who already suffer from acid reflux (GERD) would be better candidates for gastric bypass vs gastric sleeve;
- A gastric sleeve would be better for patients who are at higher risk or intolerant to general anesthesia because it is a shorter surgery. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty may be a significantly better choice for these individuals because it is a much shorter procedure and is much lower risk;
- A gastric sleeve may be better for those who have had other abdominal surgeries and may have scar tissue that would affect the rerouting of the intestines during a gastric bypass;
- Severely obese patients may be better candidates for gastric sleeves as their excess fat might impact the available internal space required to make alterations to the intestines;
- Gastric bypass can affect the absorption of certain medications and may not be the best choice for people who are dependent on those to control conditions such as psychiatric illness, etc.;
- When comparing your financial outlay, it is important to consider the gastric bypass vs sleeve cost, including any wages that will be lost during recovery or additional costs related to extra help you may need to acquire while your body heals.
Both gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery can result in significant weight loss, but both require a more extensive qualification process and significant preparation as well as a longer recovery than an endoscopic procedure. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) may be the best option to help you get your health under control without having to undergo surgery. Dr. Simmons can help you determine the best medical intervention for your needs and circumstances to help you lose weight and keep it off.
Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass Surgery vs ESG
Historically, individuals who suffered from obesity did not have any options except to undergo surgery to get the help they needed. There have been advancements in bariatric procedures, and today endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a newer, non-surgical option that has been approved by the FDA for weight management.
There are instances when patients are not able to undergo surgery or they do not meet the BMI requirements, but they require help to lose weight. ESG can offer them a chance to become healthier through weight loss without the risks or recovery time associated with bariatric surgery.
How Is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) Different From Surgery?
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, or ESG, is done using a medical device (an endoscope) that goes down the patient’s throat to the stomach instead of having to make 4 to 5 incisions in the abdomen. This device looks like a pliable hollow tube that is equipped with a light source and a camera.
The doctor can lower other instruments, including a special suturing device, down the center of the endoscope to reshape and secure the patient’s stomach into a smaller sleeve tube-like shape. Sutures are applied from the inside to reduce the stomach capacity down to about 25% of its original size. This helps the individual to become full faster while eating only tiny portions and also helps them stay satisfied for a longer time because their stomach empties more slowly.
Some of the Biggest Benefits of ESG
- Qualifying for ESG is much simpler than surgery;
- Preparing for the ESG procedure is not as complicated and does not take as long as getting ready for surgery;
- The results of ESG are very similar to those of gastric sleeve, but it has a risk profile of about 3% vs 12% of surgery;
- ESG offers significant weight loss potential without incisions or a hospital stay;
- The average recovery time is between 2 and 3 days, so there is no need to take a long time off of work;
- There are no activity limitations during recovery so you can get back to your normal routine quickly.
Who Can I Talk To About Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass vs ESG And Which Is Right For Me?
If you are tired of suffering from the physical and emotional effects of carrying excess weight, Dr. Simmons and his professional team at Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions are here for you to get the help you deserve.
They understand that every person is different and that their bodies can react differently to weight loss initiatives. Some may have underlying conditions that thwart their attempts at weight loss and make it impossible for them to create the calorie deficit they need to achieve sustainable weight loss.
Dr. Simmons can answer your questions about different weight loss procedures and work with you to create a plan that is tailored to your circumstances to help you lose weight and keep it off. He and his team offer non-surgical interventions that are lower risk and have faster recovery times than bariatric surgery. You are also provided with the knowledge, strategies, and tools needed to be successful and to improve your health.
Set up a consultation today using either a convenient virtual appointment or an in-person consultation to learn more and get started on your road to better health!
