Which Weight Loss Surgery is the Safest?

Weight loss surgery can be a major decision for anyone considering it. Learn more about two of the most common procedures - Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass - which one is safest?

Which Weight Loss Surgery is the Safest?

Weight loss surgery is a major decision for anyone considering it, and it's important to understand the risks and benefits of each procedure. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the most widely used and safest in the bariatric world, and it produces similar results to gastric bypass with fewer risks. Gastric banding is the simplest and safest procedure for bariatric surgeries, but weight loss is lower than with other surgeries. People with a gastric band are more likely to regain weight in the long term, but because surgery does not affect nutrient absorption, there is less risk of nutrient deficiency.

Gastric sleeve surgery does not involve implanting a device, and it has fewer food intolerances than with gastric banding. It also has faster weight loss than gastric banding, and it is suitable for teenagers from 14 years old. Gastric bypass surgery causes rapid weight loss due to bypassing part of the small intestine, where food is normally absorbed. This means that the body absorbs less than it eats, resulting in weight loss.

Patients have experienced resolution of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease, and there is increased weight loss compared to gastric banding. However, some former patients with gastric bypass have regained weight. Endoscopic plication is a procedure without incision that returns the stomach pouch to the size achieved after gastric bypass. A small, flexible endoscope is inserted through the mouth.

The gastric balloon is an implantation of an electrical device that causes weight loss by interrupting nerve signals between the stomach and brain. When it comes to deciding which weight-loss surgery is best for you, it's important to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each procedure. Dr. recommends having a conversation between you and your bariatric surgeon to work out a plan together. Vertical sleeve weight loss surgery is often safer than gastric bypass while producing similar results. As with any major surgery, gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries pose potential health risks both in the short and long term.

The risks associated with the surgical procedure can include many different factors, and this will vary depending on your weight before starting surgery and how you care for yourself after surgery. Comparing two of the most common weight-loss surgeries, a research team led by the University of Michigan Health found that long-term sleeve gastrectomy is safer than gastric bypass for Medicare patients. It results in faster weight loss, but the risks of hernias, nutrient deficiency and rapid emptying syndrome are higher. Regardless of which surgery you choose, it's important to understand that a weight-loss procedure should not be taken lightly. Depending on several health factors, you're generally eligible for weight-loss surgery if your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or higher, or 30 or higher if you have complications from obesity such as diabetes or coronary heart disease. If necessary, once they have lost weight and their health has improved usually after 12 to 18 months they can undergo a second surgery such as a gastric bypass. Every weight-loss surgery has benefits for certain people depending on their health status and situation. What makes vertical sleeve procedure especially attractive is that it avoids potential long-term problems associated with other weight loss procedures.

Bariatric surgery helps obese people lose weight by reducing their ability to digest food and appetite. When considering which weight-loss surgery is best for you, it's important to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each procedure. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is one of the newest and fastest growing procedures in the United States and it's often safer than gastric bypass while producing similar results.