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For individuals looking to lose a significant amount of weight, bariatric surgeries — which reduce the stomach size — can make life-changing differences. While each patient has unique needs which help to determine their candidacy for these procedures, two types of surgery most commonly used for weight loss include the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. Explore the vital differences between these two procedures below.

A Guide to Gastric Sleeve & Gastric Bypass

What Is a Gastric Sleeve?

Gastric sleeve, more formally known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a procedure in which roughly 80% of the stomach is permanently removed. As a result, the stomach’s capacity is reduced, so individuals can only eat roughly a half-cup of food at a time. Patients, therefore, experience a reduction in appetite and an enforced calorie restriction to facilitate weight loss. Upon discharge, the surgeon will provide specific food intake instruction, and progress will be monitored to support the optimal outcome.

What Is a Gastric Bypass?

gastric-sleeve-southwest-georgiaGastric bypass — or Roux-en-Y — is a procedure in which a small pouch is inserted into the intestine to bypass the stomach and the first section of the small intestine. This pouch will only hold about an ounce of food, and as a result, patients feel fuller sooner. As with sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure requires compliance with a modified diet to ensure results.

What Are Their Differences?

Both procedures bear noteworthy similarities. Each reduces the amount of food that can be ingested to aid in reduced calorie consumption, thereby facilitating weight loss. In many cases, both can also be performed via laparoscopy, which uses small incisions and the use of camera-assisted fiber-optic instruments to achieve minimal invasiveness.

With that said, nearly three-quarters of weight loss patients undergo sleeve gastrectomy, compared to just 23% of those who have gastric bypass. While both procedures yield similar weight loss results, the sleeve procedure has a lower risk of dumping syndrome, in which abdominal cramps and diarrhea may occur shortly after eating. Because one in five individuals may experience the condition after a portion of the stomach is removed, sleeve gastrectomy is widely recommended as the go-to procedure for eligible patients.

 

If you think you could be a good candidate for weight loss surgery, don’t hesitate to contact the team from Colquitt Regional Medical Center in southwest Georgia. Among their dozens of specialties are both the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures. No matter which weight loss procedure you qualify for, their team of dedicated surgeons ensure you receive the best quality of care during surgery and recovery. Find out more about their approach to bariatric surgery online, or call (229) 985-3420 to set up a consultation.

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