Gastric Band vs. Bypass vs. Sleeve

There are several types of weight loss surgery treatments however the most commonly performed are the Gastric Band, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve. These surgeries have their own specific advantages and disadvantages. The type of surgery performed varies according to the patient’s needs and expectations.

The following table is a general overview of the main weight loss surgery treatments; this is only a guide. Your surgeon will need to consider a number of factors before they are able to advise which weight loss surgery is best suited for you.

Gastric Band	Gastric Bypass	Gastric Sleeve

How it works Gradually limits food intake Slows food transit Feeling of fullness after a smaller amount of food meaning you eat less Feeling full faster Stay full for longer	How it works Gradually limits food intake Feeling of fullness Limits calorie absorption	How it works Limits food intake Feeling of fullness quicker Reduces hunger sensation
Who might have this surgery? Active patients Good dieters, who cannot maintain their weight loss Someone not prone to snacking on crisps, chocolate, ice cream etc Determined to lose weight by working hard though non-surgical methods e.g. exercise	Who might have this surgery? Someone who has co-morbidities e.g. diabetes, hypertension Need for significant weight loss Someone who is prone to snacking heavily Sweet eaters Someone with irregular meal patterns	Who might have this surgery? Someone on high level of medication Someone who has co-morbidities e.g. diabetes, hypertension Need for significant weight loss Someone who is prone to snacking heavily Someone with irregular meal patterns
Approx. length of procedure 1- 1 ½ hour *These times do not represent how long you may be in theatre or recovery. They are the approximate length of the procedure itself and vary according to each individual	Approx. length of procedure 2-2 ½ hours *These times do not represent how long you may be in theatre or recovery. They are the approximate length of the procedure itself and vary according to each individual	Approx. length of procedure 1 ½ – 2 hours *These times do not represent how long you may be in theatre or recovery. They are the approximate length of the procedure itself and vary according to each individual
Length of hospital stay Day stay/ 1 night You must agree this with your surgeon prior to your procedure.	Length of hospital stay 2/3 nights	Length of hospital stay 2/3 nights
Expected weight loss 50% excess weight	Expected weight loss 70% excess weight	Expected weight loss 60% excess weight
Reversible Yes	Reversible No – revisions possible	Reversible No
Time off work 1 week	Time off work 2-3 weeks	Time off work 2-3 weeks
Benefits Simple and safe procedure Fast recovery Fully reversible Short stay in hospital Adjustable	Benefits Rapid weight loss Co-morbidities improved e.g. diabetes, hypertension Food control becomes much easier Limited calories absorbed	Benefits Rapid weight loss Reduces hunger -the portion of the stomach that produces Ghrelin (the hunger stimulating hormone) is removed Food intolerances reduced Low malnutrition risk

Gastric Band

Gastric Bypass

Gastric Sleeve

How it works

Gradually limits food intake
Slows food transit
Feeling of fullness after a smaller amount of food meaning you eat less
Feeling full faster
Stay full for longer

How it works

Gradually limits food intake
Feeling of fullness
Limits calorie absorption

How it works

Limits food intake
Feeling of fullness quicker
Reduces hunger sensation

Who might have this surgery?

Active patients
Good dieters, who cannot maintain their weight loss
Someone not prone to snacking on crisps, chocolate, ice cream etc
Determined to lose weight by working hard though non-surgical methods e.g. exercise

Who might have this surgery?

Someone who has co-morbidities e.g. diabetes, hypertension
Need for significant weight loss
Someone who is prone to snacking heavily
Sweet eaters
Someone with irregular meal patterns

Who might have this surgery?

Someone on high level of medication
Someone who has co-morbidities e.g. diabetes, hypertension
Need for significant weight loss
Someone who is prone to snacking heavily
Someone with irregular meal patterns

Approx. length of procedure

1- 1 ½ hour

*These times do not represent how long you may be in theatre or recovery. They are the approximate length of the procedure itself and vary according to each individual

Approx. length of procedure

2-2 ½ hours

*These times do not represent how long you may be in theatre or recovery. They are the approximate length of the procedure itself and vary according to each individual

Approx. length of procedure

1 ½ – 2 hours

*These times do not represent how long you may be in theatre or recovery. They are the approximate length of the procedure itself and vary according to each individual

Length of hospital stay

Day stay*/ 1 night

*You must agree this with your surgeon prior to your procedure.

Length of hospital stay

2/3 nights

Length of hospital stay

2/3 nights

Expected weight loss

50% excess weight

Expected weight loss

70% excess weight

Expected weight loss

60% excess weight

Reversible

Yes

Reversible

No – revisions possible

Reversible

Time off work

1 week

Time off work

2-3 weeks

Time off work

2-3 weeks

Benefits

Simple and safe procedure
Fast recovery
Fully reversible
Short stay in hospital
Adjustable

Benefits

Rapid weight loss
Co-morbidities improved e.g. diabetes, hypertension
Food control becomes much easier
Limited calories absorbed

Benefits

Rapid weight loss
Reduces hunger -the portion of the stomach that produces Ghrelin (the hunger stimulating hormone) is removed
Food intolerances reduced
Low malnutrition risk

*Weight loss surgery results and benefits vary and are different for every individual.

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