If you are interested in weight loss surgery, you may be wondering which type would be best for you. Two types of surgical weight loss options include gastric bypass and a gastric sleeve. There are several differences between the two procedures that you should know before you and your doctor decide which procedure you will have. Here are some things you need to know:

How Does Gastric Bypass Work?

Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure to treat obesity. The surgery creates a pouch created laparoscopically to section off the stomach and intestines. The stomach is made smaller and prevents you from eating too much food, which results in weight loss. You can expect to spend at least one night in the hospital after the surgery followed by a program of integrating foods back into your diet.

How Does a Gastric Sleeve Work?

A gastric sleeve is a procedure in which the stomach is stapled to reduce its total capacity. The goal of the surgery is to reduce the number of calories you can eat and ultimately lose weight. The sleeve is very thin and is the result of reshaping the stomach to make it smaller. Food will go through your digestive system like normal and is absorbed into the body. You may need to spend the night in the hospital and then go through a program to integrate food back into your diet.

Which Surgery Is Best for You?

Both weight loss options are very similar. Gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve cannot be reversed. The gastric sleeve will remove some of the stomach and may take longer to see weight loss results than with a gastric bypass. A gastric bypass resections the small bowel. It is much more invasive and can result in faster weight loss.

Your surgical procedure will be based on several factors, including your current weight, how much weight you need to lose, any preexisting medical conditions, and your medical history.

Ultimately you and your doctor will determine which option is best for your needs. The doctor will also base their decision on your current BMI and what your BMI should be for your height. Both procedures will require discipline on your part after the surgery. You will have to adhere to very strict diet restrictions after either procedure. You will be on a liquid diet for a period of time before you slowly begin adding solid foods back into your diet. There may also be some foods that you will no longer be able to eat after the surgery, so make sure you are prepared for that as well.

For more information, contact a company such as Vitality Family Healthcare.

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