Which Obesity Surgery Should I Prefer?
People who want to get rid of their extra weight can lose their weight through different applications and methods. Among these options, obesity surgeries have an important place. However, obesity surgery is also divided into different options within itself. There are some points that should be considered and taken into account when choosing the most appropriate surgery among these options. Below, there is detailed information for the person to make the right choice with different perspectives. Each heading will help you to choose the right obesity surgery, thanks to the information it provides in its own content. Final information should always be given by a specialist doctor.
Which Obesity Surgery, Gastric Sleeve? Gastric Bypass?
The use of the gastric bypass method, which is one of the oldest methods among obesity surgeries, has exceeded 40 years. In the 80s when it emerged, it was among the most preferred standard surgical method. However, gastric sleeve surgery was first performed on overweight people who required a preparation phase for surgery. In this way, a preparation process was carried out together with gastric sleeve surgery, and then the person was brought to the final goal with gastric bypass surgery. This approach, which is used in a way that two different operations follow each other, has been preferred for 20 years. In the early 2000s, thanks to the development of technology and the analysis of big data obtained over the past 20 years, it was seen that the result of gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery were almost the same. After obtaining this information, gastric sleeve surgery was considered sufficient on its own and was chosen as the basic method.
What are the Technical Differences Between Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Below are the different topics that should be considered in this regard. Considering the level of risk, the details of the application and the process after it, the temporary and permanent situations created by the application, the differences will be clearly understood.
Risk Level of the Surgery
Considering two different applications, gastric sleeve surgery aims to shrink the stomach. While doing that, it aims to shrink by 80% on the vertical scale. In gastric sleeve surgery, no operation is performed on the intestines of the person. In gastric bypass surgery, there is an intervention in both the stomach and the intestines. In this respect, it requires a much more complex and long process. In surgeries, it is aimed to get the maximum result with as little contact as possible. In gastric bypass surgery, there is an intervention not only to the stomach but also to the intestines. The fact that the surgery is becoming much more complex and multi-layered will increase the risk of complications. This is also an undesirable situation.
Application Details and Post-Surgery Process
The main goal of gastric sleeve surgery is to ensure weight loss with the restriction of stomach volume. It is ensured that people who choose gastric sleeve surgery will reduce their appetite and engage in less eating and drinking activities. For this, the part that creates the appetite is separated from the stomach. In this way, appetite hormones will not come into play and the person will get rid of the constant thinking of eating and drinking activities.
In gastric bypass surgery, as well as restrictive effects, absorption-impairing effects are also observed. As the absorption-impairing effect will continue, vitamins and minerals should be taken as an additional supplement throughout the person’s life. There is no absorption-impairing effect in people who have undergone gastric sleeve surgery. This situation is both good and bad. The good thing is that the person does not need to take additional vitamin and mineral supplements. The bad or risky side is that the person may start to gain weight again. High-calorie foods consumed in gastric bypass application pass through the small intestine quickly. This leads to dumping syndrome. The basis of dumping syndrome is the risk of diarrhea and low blood pressure. It directly affects the comfort and daily life of the person. Patients who choose gastric sleeve surgery do not experience dumping syndrome.
Permanent and Temporary Situations
The stomachs of people who prefer gastric sleeve surgery are permanently shrink. This issue should be taken into account when making a decision. A shrinkage procedure is not applied to the stomach of people who have gastric bypass surgery. Although it is not performed much in practice, these are reversible applications in theory. In gastric bypass surgery, stomach shrinkage is not performed, but the stomach is divided into two parts. While the lower part is remained closed in the abdomen, it does not allow access by any endoscopy. Elimination of the possibility of performing endoscopy is an undesirable situation in terms of the general health of the person and the treatment of other diseases. In gastric sleeve surgery, even if the person’s stomach is shrink, it does not pose any obstacle to endoscopy.
In Which Subject Is Gastric Bypass Obesity Surgery Successful?
There are specific cases in which gastric bypass surgery is successful. Undoubtedly, metabolic diseases come first among them. In case the person has metabolic diseases, gastric bypass application is much more effective than gastric sleeve surgery. Diabetic patients over the age of 45 are among the group in which gastric bypass surgery is most preferred. In particular, people with high diabetes who will use insulin may prefer this application.
It is worth noting that gastric sleeve surgery is also effective on metabolic diseases. People who are not on insulin level may prefer gastric sleeve surgery to get rid of the tablets they take orally.
Revision Status in Obesity Surgeries
Obesity revision surgeries can be performed after obesity surgery for different reasons. These surgeries, which are performed in case of any need, face restrictions depending on the obesity surgery chosen by the person. As complex changes do not occur after gastric sleeve surgery, revision surgeries are performed much more easily. If deemed necessary, gastric sleeve surgeries are converted to gastric bypass surgery with revision. However, revision in gastric bypass surgery is both difficult and risky. Although it can be done in theory, it is not preferred in practice. Patients who want to have obesity surgery at a young age should take this into consideration. Considering the long years ahead, gastric sleeve surgery may be a more logical choice.
Which Obesity Surgery Is More Successful?
Considering all the above headings, it is necessary to consider many different factors together when choosing obesity surgery. In this respect, there is no single key to a successful operation. The person can get successful results with two different obesity surgeries. The important thing is to take a decision by approaching the health of the person as a whole. The probability of complications in gastric sleeve surgeries is much lower. This is one of the main reasons why it is preferred. The majority of patients who prefer gastric bypass surgery consist of those who use insulin. Gastric bypass surgery gives more successful results for people using insulin.
Two different obesity surgeries have both advantages and disadvantages against each other. The main goal should be to ensure the total benefit by evaluating these topics separately. In the patient evaluation carried out by the specialist doctor, it is understood which option will be healthier to a large extent. Patients who want to have obesity surgery should focus not only on the type of surgery they will undergo, but also on the changes they will make in their lives and a healthy life.
