Vitamins after gastric surgery
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The Science Behind Gastric Bypass Surgery
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Weight control can be a major concern for many of us. Being significantly overweight can lead to health complications including diabetes, heart disease and joint problems. For those who struggle with severe obesity and have not had success with other weight loss methods, bariatric surgery can be a life-changing solution. This normally means gastric band or gastric sleeve surgery, but what are these procedures? What do they involve and how do they differ?
Understanding the Difference Between Popular Bariatric Surgery Procedures
The two most common bariatric procedures are gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery.
In this article, we will explore the differences between these two surgeries, including their procedures, outcomes, gastric surgery risks and benefits, to help individuals make informed decisions about their weight loss goals.
It is often recommended for customers who have a high BMI and for whom not losing weight risks further health problems.
What is Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Unlike some other bariatric procedures, it does not require the implantation of any foreign devices in the body.
Gastric Sleeve surgery is aimed at simply reducing the size of the stomach. As a result, it restricts the amount of food a person can consume, leading to weight loss.
The procedure is relatively straightforward.
Anesthesia
The surgery begins with the administration of general anesthesia to ensure the patient is asleep and pain-free throughout the procedure.
Laparoscopic Approach
Gastric sleeve surgery is typically performed laparoscopically. This refers to the technique of inserting a camera and specialised surgical instruments through several small incisions in the abdomen. This means gastric sleeve surgery is considered a minor surgery.
Removal of Part of the Stomach
The surgeon removes a percentage of the stomach leaving behind a smaller banana-shaped pouch or sleeve. This significantly reduces the stomach’s capacity to hold food.
Stapling
The remaining portion of the stomach is stapled closed, sealing it off from the rest of the stomach.
Completion
The incisions are closed, and the surgery is completed.
Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Thanks to the laparoscopic nature of the surgery, recovery time for gastric sleeve operations is relatively short. If all goes well, patients usually spend a night or two in the hospital after surgery and can return to their normal activities in a matter of weeks rather than months. However, a strict post-operative diet and exercise plan must be followed by patients. The good news is there are clear benefits in doing so.
Gastric sleeve surgery primarily results in significant weight loss. As well as shrinking the stomach, the procedure reduces the production of ghrelin, the hormone responsible for hunger, leading to decreased appetite.
Most patients lose much of their excess body weight within the first year after surgery. This leads to improvements in obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
Importantly, gastric sleeve weight loss surgery does not significantly alter the body’s normal digestive processes. After the procedure, it is unlikely that nutrient supplements will be required.
Of all the surgical weight loss options available, gastric sleeve surgery is perhaps the most straightforward.
What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Gastric bypass surgery is another bariatric procedure designed to help individuals with severe obesity lose weight. Unlike gastric sleeve surgery, which primarily restricts the amount of food eaten by shrinking the stomach, a gastric bypass restricts food but also interrupts digestion by bypassing part of the intestine.
The procedure for gastric bypass surgery is a little more involved than gastric sleeve options.
Anesthesia
Again, the procedure begins with general anaesthesia.
Bypassing Part of the Small Intestine
The surgeon then re-routes a portion of the small intestine to connect directly to the small upper pouch, bypassing the rest of the stomach and a significant portion of the small intestine.
Removal of Part of the Stomach
The surgeon removes a percentage of the stomach leaving behind a smaller banana-shaped pouch or sleeve. This significantly reduces the stomach’s capacity to hold food.
Completing the Procedure
The surgeon reconnects the bypassed portion of the intestine further down the digestive tract to allow digestive juices to mix with food.
Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Key Differences Between Gastric Sleeve and Bypass Surgery
o help you move forward, we have identified gastric surgery pros and cons in the following. You should, however, certainly speak to a medical professional if you are considering either of the procedures outlined here.
The two procedures differ in complexity. Gastric sleeve surgery involves the removal of a portion of the stomach to create a smaller, banana-shaped pouch. In contrast, gastric bypass surgery not only creates a small upper stomach pouch but also reroutes a portion of the small intestine.
Gastric sleeve procedures primarily restrict the amount of food a person can eat by reducing stomach size. Gastric bypass surgery combines restriction and interrupts digestion.
This limits both food intake and nutrient absorption. Bypass surgery also often leads to more rapid and substantial weight loss in the short term, while gastric sleeve surgery provides steady and significant weight loss over time.
Gastric sleeve surgery has minimal impact on nutrient absorption whereas following gastric band surgery, as some of the intestine is bypassed, additional nutritional and dietary support may be required.
An important difference is gastric sleeve surgery is irreversible, as a portion of the stomach is permanently removed from the patient’s body. Gastric bypass surgery can technically be reversed although this is rarely done due to the complexities involved.
Conclusion
The good news is both surgeries can be highly effective in achieving long-term weight loss. Today, gastric surgery recovery and success rates are very good generally. Gastric bypass surgery, despite being more complex, often results in more rapid initial weight loss, which may be appealing to some patients. Gastric sleeve surgery is simpler and less dependent on ongoing nutritional and dietary interventions.
Your weight loss surgery decisions should always be based on individual factors and discussions with appropriate healthcare providers. Our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to help.
