Both gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are weight loss procedures that reduce the size of the stomach. The new smaller โsleeveโ or โpouchโ holds less food than the regular stomach, which causes patients to feel full with less food. In addition, ghrelin, also known as the hunger hormone, is reduced with both surgeries, allowing patients to wait longer in between meals before feeling the need to eat again. So gastric bypass vs. gastric sleeve, what exactly is the difference between these two bariatric procedures? The major difference is inย how the stomach is reduced.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypassย is a malabsorptive procedure that โbypassesโ a large portion of the stomach as well as part of the small intestine, creating a small stomach pouch that is then reconnected to the small intestine. As this is a more complex procedure in comparison to gastric sleeve, there is aย higher risk of complicationsย and a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies. To qualify for this bariatric procedure, patients need to have a BMI of 40+ and on average lose 60-80% of their excess weight.