Tips for choosing the right bariatric operation for you.
- Consider a day in the life of someone with a sleeve and with a gastric bypass long term. Talk to people who have had WLS surgery.
- Consider your metabolic risk factors. A gastric bypass affords the best chance at curing type 2 diabetes however also affords the highest likelihood of long term complications.
- Choose a surgery based on most weight loss is not the best approach. Weight regain occurs for many reasons unrelated to the type of operation.
What are the pros of Sleeve Gastrectomy?
1. Intestines are not re-routed, meaning there is no bowel anastomosis to leak or get an ulcer
2. Digestion is anatomically correct, decreasing the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies
3. Weight loss is rapid in the first year
What are the cons of Sleeve Gastrectomy ?
1. Increased risk of reflux compared to bypass after surgery even if never had reflux before
2. Too tight of narrowing of the stomach (stenosis)
3. Not losing as much weight as you would like or weight regain
What are the pros of Gastric Bypass?
1. Statistically better rates of diabetes remission
2. Improved acid reflux
3. Primary treatment for gastroparesis
4. Weight loss is rapid in the first year
What are the cons of Gastric Bypass?
1. Increased risk of marginal ulcers.
2. Increased risk of bowel obstructions call “internal hernias” can occur from the intestine twisting around the small bowel anastomosis
3. Re-routing the intestines increases the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies
4. Increased risk of dumping syndrome
5. Increased risk of S.I.B.O (small intestine bacterial overgrowth)
6. Not losing as much weight as you would like or weight regain
Talk to your surgeon about which surgery is best for you.
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