Gastric Bypass vs. Mini Gastric Bypass
There are many different types of bariatric surgery out there, but the gastric bypass is the one that is arguably the most well-known. Dr. Francisco Gonzalez, an experienced bariatric surgeon and weight loss surgery specialist, has helped countless patients at his Tijuana, Mexico practice by performing gastric bypass surgery.
Many people do not realize this, but there are two different kinds of gastric bypass: the traditional gastric bypass and the mini gastric bypass. The team at Oasis of Hope would like go over the similarities and differences between these surgeries, as well as the pros and cons of each.
About Traditional Gastric Bypass Surgery
A traditional gastric bypass is the surgery that most people think about when they hear the phrase “bariatric surgery.” During the procedure, the stomach is divided into upper and lower pouches, and the small intestine is partially re-routed. This helps promote weight loss by limiting the amount of calories one can consume in a single meal (restrictive weight loss) as well as the number of calories that can be absorbed by the body during the digestion process (malabsorptive weight loss).
The Risks and Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
In terms of the benefits of gastric bypass surgery, the biggest advantage is that it promotes weight loss in two ways, meaning rapid results in the short-term and the long run. Like other weight loss surgery procedures, this can mean effective treatment of comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.
The main risk of gastric bypass surgery is the nature of the procedure. If it does not work, surgeons cannot restore the stomach and small intestine to the way it was before, but certain revisions may be made if needed to reduce the instance of complications. The risk of infection and other surgical complications is also common following gastric bypass surgery.
About Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery
A mini gastric bypass surgery functions just like a traditional gastric bypass surgery bun that the stomach is divided into upper and lower pouches and the small intestine is rerouted. This allows for both restrictive and malabsorption weight loss.
The primary difference between mini gastric bypass surgery and a full gastric bypass is that the mini version of the surgery is performed in a modified manner that involves less intestinal rerouting and a shorter overall surgery time.
The Risks and Benefits of Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery
The primary benefits of mini gastric bypass are that they offer results comparable to a traditional gastric bypass through a shorter and less invasive surgical procedure. That typically means an easier recovery process with less chance of complications.
The risks are similar to a traditional gastric bypass with regard to infection and adverse side effects. There is also the risk that the weight loss will not be as dramatic as it would be with a traditional gastric bypass, requiring additional treatment.
Determining the Right Bariatric Procedure for You
Since both a traditional gastric bypass and a mini gastric bypass work in similar ways, candidacy for each surgery really depends on the needs and goals of the patient. During an in-person consultation at our practice, we will be able to determine which kind of surgery would be most ideal for you and your current fight against obesity.
Learn More About Gastric Bypass Surgery
For more information about bariatric surgery procedures and their various risks and benefits, be sure to contact an experience weight loss surgeon. Our team of bariatric surgery specialists will help you get the procure that’s most ideal for you needs. You can reach Oasis of Hope by phone at (619) 304-2084.
