Which Bariatric Surgery is Right for You?

You, and only you, can answer this important question after you have considered all the medical evidence and facts about the risks and benefits of each procedure. However, you must also consider your current health status and your likelihood of following all the recommendations you will need to follow lifelong, when choosing between the gastric bypass or the sleeve gastrectomy.

There is no substitute for consulting with our surgeon, an expert in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, who has extensive experience with the procedures you are considering. Our surgeon will conduct a medical assessment and determine the procedure that is best fit for your health profile and your goals.

Which Bariatric Surgery is Right for You

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

	Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass	Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
How is it done?	Small 30-40 ml gastric pouch is connected to the small intestine bypassing the stomach. Food and digestive juices are separated for 3-5 feet.	Most of the stomach is removed in a “vertical” fashion leaving a “banana” shaped stomach remnant.


How does it work?	Significantly restricts the volume of food that can be eaten. Mild malabsorption. “Dumping Syndrome” if wrong foods such as sugar or fats are eaten. It reduces production of the ghrelin hormone by the stomach thus reducing appetite.	It somewhat restricts the volume of food that can be eaten. It also allows food to pass quickly down the gut. It removes the ghrelin hormone producing cells of the stomach. All these may reduce appetite.


What surgical approach is used for each surgery?	Laparoscopic or minimally invasive with 5 small cuts. No adjustment port therefore avoids the larger 2 cm skin cut.	Laparoscopic or minimally invasive with 5 small cuts are used. No adjustment port therefore avoids the larger 2 cm skin cut.


What weight loss can I expect with this surgery?	~70% of extra weight lost at 5+ years	~60% of extra weight lost at 5+ years


What diet and lifestyle changes are required of this surgery?	Patients consume 3 small high protein meals and 2-3 high protein snacks. Meal portions usually amount to ~ 1 cup per meal. Must delay fluids from solids. Advised to limit concentrated sugars to avoid dumping syndrome. Must exercise.	Patients consume 3 small high protein meals and 2-3 high protein snacks. Meal portions usually amount to ~ 1 cup per meal. Must delay fluids from solids. Advised to limit concentrated sugars. Must exercise.


Which nutritional supplements am I required to take for life after surgery?	Multivitamin Vitamin B12 Calcium & Vitamin D Iron (menstruating women)	Multivitamin Vitamin B12 Calcium & Vitamin D Iron (menstruating women)

	Short term (30 day)	Short term (30 day)
What are the chances I might die from this surgery and are there any other immediate risks?	Death* 0% Staple line leak 1% Internal bleeding 1% Colon perforation 0.1% Deep vein thrombosis 0.4% Liver/Spleen laceration 1.4% Port site infection 1.2% Heart attack 0.2% Pulmonary Embolus 0.2% *These are Dr. Chow and Dr. Christou's statistics in private practice from 2006-2020 in over 1,500 cases	Death* 0% Staple line leak 1% Minor bleeding 1% Liver/Spleen laceration 1.4% Deep vein thrombosis 0.2% Port infection 2.0%

	Long term	Long term
What are the long term risks from this surgery?	Severe Anemia 10% Stricture of the stomach outlet 4% Stomach pouch ulcers 1.4% Port site hernia 0.8% Gallstones (10 years) 14.4% Small bowel obstruction 2.6% Kidney Stones 2% Vitamin/mineral deficiencies 2%	Anemia 5% Stricture of the sleeve 2% Stomach ulcers 1.4% Port site hernia 0.8% Gallstones (10 years) 17.3% Small bowel obstruction 1% Kidney Stones 2% Vitamin/mineral deficiencies 2%


How quickly will I lose the extra weight?	Most of the weight loss occurs within the 1-2 years after surgery. Some weight regain and stabilization is dependent on patient compliance with diet and exercise.	Most of the weight loss occurs within the 1-2 years after surgery. Some weight regain and stabilization is dependent on patient compliance with diet and exercise.


How long does the surgery take to perform?	75 minutes	60 minutes


How long will I be hospitalized for?	2 days (48 h)	1 day (24 h)


What is the period of convalescence?	On average, we recommend 4 weeks off work. However, many patients recover well and may feel ready to return to work/light duties in 1-2 weeks depending on the nature of their work.	On average, we recommend 4 weeks off work. However, many patients recover well and may feel ready to return to work/light duties in 1-2 weeks depending on the nature of their work.


What is the waiting time for surgery?	4 to 6 weeks, which is the time required to adequately prepare you for surgery.	4 to 6 weeks, which is the time required to adequately prepare you for surgery.


Who pays for the surgery?	Patients must pay out of pocket, through financing, or their insurance.	Patients must pay out of pocket, through financing, or their insurance.


Is the operation reversible?	Possible, if medically indicated.	No.


Our Recommendation	Strongly recommended for patients with type II diabetes, severe GERD (not controlled by medications), and people with a high BMI. This has been performed for over 40 years and has proven long term durable results.	Most popular surgery in North America with excellent weight loss outcomes.

We do not offer the following surgeries:

Adjustable gastric band: The results after 5 years or longer show such a high complication rate that our bariatric surgeons decided to stop offering this surgery to our patients since 2015. Over 30% of gastric bands ever inserted have required surgeries both urgently or electively to remove them for slippage, erosion, obstruction, or failure of weight loss.

Gastric balloon: This is a temporary procedure, just like following a diet temporarily. All gastric balloons must be removed after 6 months with ensuing weight regain thereafter. There have also been cases of deflation, causing distal intestinal obstruction.

The table above has been created to help you compare both surgeries that we offer.

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Which Bariatric Surgery is Right for You?

Which Bariatric Surgery is Right for You?

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

We do not offer the following surgeries:

Gastric balloon: This is a temporary procedure, just like following a diet temporarily. All gastric balloons must be removed after 6 months with ensuing weight regain thereafter. There have also been cases of deflation, causing distal intestinal obstruction.

The table above has been created to help you compare both surgeries that we offer.

Ready to get started?

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