Are you considering what type of weight loss surgery is right for you? Bariatric surgery is a great option to help you lose weight – especially if you work on improving your diet and exercise regimen. Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery are some popular surgery options that are effective in helping people shed extra pounds and change their lifestyle.
What’s the difference between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve?
Sleeve gastrectomy surgery permanently removes 80 percent of your stomach. The surgeon then sews the rest of the stomach into a small pouch or sleeve. Roux en y gastric bypass, on the other hand, has a small stomach pouch created through bypassing most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
This small pouch is reconnected to the remaining small intestine. The area of the small intestine that is removed is the part that does most of the absorbing of some nutrients and calories, therefore making it effective in losing weight.
Both surgeries are completed laparoscopically and require plenty of rest afterward. Taking care of yourself will help your body heal quicker and help with a smoother recovery process. Gastric bypass is more complicated than gastric sleeve surgery, so sometimes that can play a factor in what your recovery is like.
Your doctor will go over the various procedures you’ll need to follow after surgery, including how you will need to restrict your activity and change your diet. Not following the surgery guidelines afterward could cause unnecessary complications like infection, pain, and more.
Bariatric Surgery Recovery
By removing a portion of the stomach, both surgeries will require you to make significant adjustments to your diet and eating routines. You will only be able to eat small amounts of food at a time, so several small meals a day is a good idea. You will also need to sip fluids and avoid carbonated beverages and high amounts of carbs.
In both cases, you will be limited to an all-liquid diet (along with protein supplements) for the first two weeks. This will allow your body to adapt to a smaller intake of food. Hormonal changes during this time will make you feel sooner and will cut down on those hunger pangs.
While drinking at least 96 ounces of water is key, you won’t be able to gulp it down. Remember, your stomach will only be able to handle so much liquid at a time now. Drinking too much water in one sitting could be uncomfortable. The smaller pouch can’t handle the large and quick intake of water or food and leads to discomfort, nausea, and even pain.
Two weeks after either procedure, soft foods and vitamins will be introduced to your diet. In the following weeks and months, more and more high-protein, low-fat foods will be added. WeightWise has compiled hundreds of recipes for you to choose from as well as offering drinks, supplements, and food in our online shop.
A Proven Weight Loss Program
Bariatric procedures are an exciting option for many people that want to lose excess body weight. What type of bariatric surgery is right for you in the long term? In addition to gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures, there are other surgeries that limit the amount of food intake, such as lap band or duodenal switch.
In addition to your diet, physical activity will also be on the menu so to speak. Our exercise physiologist will talk about any physical limitations you may have and craft a workout plan specifically for you. The goal is to spend at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, working out.
There are pros and cons of each bariatric procedure based on your current situation, family history, and any physical or emotional obstacles. That’s why every patient will have an initial consultation with one of our bariatric surgeons. Plans will be discussed, questions answered, and surgeries chosen.
Watch our free online seminar to see why our program has been so successful for so many. When you’re ready, contact our experienced medical team at WeightWise today to ask questions or to find out if gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery is right for you.
I would really love an easy-to-see table with all the pros and cons of each of the four main surgeries.
Is Gastric bypass surgery right for me
Good Morning Laura! That would be a great question for one of our operating physicians. The first step is to watch the free online seminar. Then we will get you in to see the surgeon whom will discuss the pros and cons of each surgery, review your health history, and discuss our process to operation. They will also go over any questions/concerns that you may have at this time.
You can watch the seminar online at https://weightwise.com/seminars/#seminar-tabs
I had roux-en-y gastric bypass way back in November of 2004. Went well for the most part and lost 178 in 9 months! By 2007 had a tummy tuck and hernia repair at the same time. Then the major complications came along with Gastroparesis ( slow emptying of the stomach ) & a Fistula where my old and new stomachs connected where food had 2 choices to go. One where it was suppose to go & old stomach where food had no place to go so basically was harder to keep the weight off but managed until covid where I couldn’t get out to exercise & gained about 100 pounds since Covid-19 started. Very mad about this as many reasons for this surgery were for a bad back and many other pain related problems along with being overweight. Now with the weight gain I need total need replacement of right knee and meniscus repair of the left. Spinal stenosis of spine with Arthritis of spine and rest of body. This past year took away 16 years of hard work.
So many people asked was it worth it? Hard to answer as for the complications NO but to lose that weight Yes. These complications at the time were about 1 in a million to get it. Don’t know now. I also had mine done Open not Laparoscopic as within a few months it was all Laparoscopic. Mine was safer as this way you knew if there was a problem like leakage. But Healing took about 1 month where today is within a week.
Any questions please ask (Anyone)
Eric6833@att.net
I have the sleeve surgery back about 15 years did loose about 60 pounds but i gain my weight back and now a diabete do you need to redo it after years later?
Hey Carolyn! Yes, you can have a revision after you have had bariatric surgery. However, I would contact your operating physician and/or dietitian regarding your weight gain. That way they can conduct a full evaluation and provide you with recommendations based off of your individual circumstances. Or, you could call our front desk and they will set you up with an appointment to visit with ours 405-359-2475.