Which Weight Loss Surgery Is Right For Me?
The four most frequently performed metabolic and bariatric surgeries each take a different approach to surgical weight loss, and the correct one for you will be based on your unique anatomy and metabolism, medical history, and weight loss goals.
Understanding the differences between the surgical options can be challenging and frustrating if you cannot access up-to-date, accurate information.
Dr. Wiljon Beltre and his experienced team of weight loss experts at Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery believe in enabling patients to make well-informed, educated decisions.
Contact us today to determine the best weight loss option, or continue reading to learn more.
Remember, positive change begins with you. Let us help you reclaim your life today!
Nearly 200,000 people in the United States have bariatric surgery for weight loss each year. Bariatric surgery patients come from all different walks of life. But they have one thing in common. They are suffering from the health consequences of obesity.
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, you may benefit from weight loss surgery if you:
- Have a BMI over 40 or are at least 100 pounds overweight
- Have a BMI over 30 and have Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and other respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, heart disease, or osteoarthritis.
Bariatric surgery is performed on people who suffer from obesity and the many health problems that it causes. Weight loss surgery can reverse and prevent weight-related health problems, including high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. If you have diabetes, bariatric surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for insulin. Patients who are successful can lose 50% or more of their excess weight if they follow a healthy eating plan and include exercise.
If you are considering bariatric surgery, you have several surgical options. The most common weight loss surgeries include gastric bypass, gastric band, gastric sleeve, and sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch. Learn more about each option below.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery is an effective option that enables very rapid weight loss and extraordinarily quick resolution of some obesity-related health concerns like type 2 diabetes. It requires a lifetime commitment to strict dietary changes, altered eating habits, and regular vitamin supplements. During a gastric bypass, a small pouch or tiny stomach is carved out of the main stomach. This much smaller pouch holds less food. The rest of the stomach is bypassed, including the duodenum, pancreas, and upper intestines. This causes a robust change in metabolism and rapid weight loss.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy offers similar, but slightly less aggressive, weight loss and health-related results as the more invasive gastric bypass but also entails less surgical risk. Nothing is bypassed with the gastric sleeve. During a gastric sleeve, 70 to 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a much smaller, longer banana-shaped stomach. The part of the stomach that is removed is the fundus. The fundus is the part of the stomach that stretches so that you can eat more. The fundus also makes the hunger hormone Ghrelin. In addition, the gastric sleeve gives you some metabolic changes that cause rapid weight loss. Long-term risk of vitamin and nutritional deficiencies and “dumping syndrome” are lower, and long-term dietary requirements are less strict.
Gastric Band
Gastric banding is the least invasive surgical procedure. Still, it results in only moderate weight loss and does not appear to correct obesity-related health concerns except as related to weight loss. The gastric band does not cause any metabolic changes, so weight loss is not as sustained or profound as the gastric bypass or sleeve. Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies are uncommon, but long-term dietary requirements are strict and frequent; regular follow-up visits for band readjustment are required. Due to its poor weight loss results, higher long-term complication rates, and re-operation rates, most bariatric surgeons in the United States no longer offer gastric bands.
Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) with Duodenum Switch (BPD/DS)
BPD/DS is the most technically demanding form of metabolic surgery. Still, it results in the most significant, long-term weight loss and immediate resolution of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic health problems. In addition, the BPD/DS has the slightest chance of weight regain over time. During the BPD/DS, a gastric sleeve is created, and half of the intestines are bypassed. This results in less calories being absorbed. Food intake is less limited than with other procedures, but strict adherence to dietary changes and vitamin supplements is required. Foul-smelling gas, bloating, and frequent, pasty bowel movements are lifelong side effects, and the risk of ulcers and heartburn is higher than with other surgeries.
Gastric Bypass - Restricts food intake
- Many metabolic changes may affect calorie absorption.
- Significant and rapid weight loss, treats severe acid reflux
- Rapid improvement of some health problems like type 2 diabetes
- Invasive
- Long-term vitamin deficiencies
- Risk of dumping syndrome
Lifestyle Changes
- Strict dietary and eating habits required
- Life-long monitoring and vitamin supplements mandatory
Sleeve Gastrectomy- Restricts food intake
- Controls appetite, some metabolic changes
- Significant weight loss
- Minimally invasive
- Some moderation of health concerns
- Requires fewer lifestyle changes
- Risk of leakage at surgical site
- Non-reversible
Lifestyle Changes
- Minor food intolerances
- Vitamin deficiencies are possible, but not common.
- Monitoring is recommended.
Gastric Band- Limits food intake
- Least invasive procedure
- Less risk of serious, long-term complications
- Reversible
- Greatest risk for complications requiring reoperation
- Moderate weight loss
- Regular follow-up appointments
- Use of implanted foreign object
Lifestyle Changes
- Vitamin deficiency uncommon
- Strict dietary requirements
- Frequent follow-up visits for band readjustments
BPD/DS- BPD: Limits nutrient/energy absorption
- BPD/DS: Limits food intake & nutrient/energy absorption
- Significant, long-term weight loss
- Rapid improvement of type 2 diabetes & health problems
- Less food limitations & intolerances
- Invasive
- Heartburn, gas, bloating, frequent bowel movements
- Long-term protein & vitamin deficiencies
- Dumping syndrome (less with DS)
- Ulcers (less with DS)
Lifestyle Changes
- Strict diet required to avoid protein & vitamin deficiency
- Lifelong monitoring and vitamin supplements required
- Anti-ulcer medication may be required
Lifestyle Changes
- Restricts food intake
- Many metabolic changes may affect calorie absorption.
- Significant and rapid weight loss, treats severe acid reflux
- Rapid improvement of some health problems like type 2 diabetes
- Invasive
- Long-term vitamin deficiencies
- Risk of dumping syndrome
- Strict dietary and eating habits required
- Life-long monitoring and vitamin supplements mandatory
- Restricts food intake
- Controls appetite, some metabolic changes
- Significant weight loss
- Minimally invasive
- Some moderation of health concerns
- Requires fewer lifestyle changes
- Risk of leakage at surgical site
- Non-reversible
- Minor food intolerances
- Vitamin deficiencies are possible, but not common.
- Monitoring is recommended.
- Limits food intake
- Least invasive procedure
- Less risk of serious, long-term complications
- Reversible
- Greatest risk for complications requiring reoperation
- Moderate weight loss
- Regular follow-up appointments
- Use of implanted foreign object
- Vitamin deficiency uncommon
- Strict dietary requirements
- Frequent follow-up visits for band readjustments
- BPD: Limits nutrient/energy absorption
- BPD/DS: Limits food intake & nutrient/energy absorption
- Significant, long-term weight loss
- Rapid improvement of type 2 diabetes & health problems
- Less food limitations & intolerances
- Invasive
- Heartburn, gas, bloating, frequent bowel movements
- Long-term protein & vitamin deficiencies
- Dumping syndrome (less with DS)
- Ulcers (less with DS)
- Strict diet required to avoid protein & vitamin deficiency
- Lifelong monitoring and vitamin supplements required
- Anti-ulcer medication may be required
Explore Your Weight Loss Options with Beltre Bariatrics
Are you ready to take control of your weight and transform your life?
Contact Beltre Bariatrics Center For Metabolic and Obesity Surgery in Maitland, Florida, for proven, effective surgical weight loss options led by Dr. Wiljon Beltre, a renowned board-certified surgeon specializing in bariatric procedures.
Our comprehensive approach includes advanced surgical techniques and ongoing support from our experienced team. Say goodbye to fad diets and fruitless workouts—schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting weight loss success!
Are You a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
Take Our 60 second assessment and find out if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery
DISCLAIMER: Metabolic surgery involves a lifetime commitment to significant lifestyle changes, and is not for everyone. Individual results differ depending on each patient’s medical history and willingness and ability to adhere to the weight loss program specified by Dr. Beltre. As with all surgical procedures, all forms of metabolic surgery carry the risk of complications and side effects; additional details about potential complications, side effects, and other risks will be provided to you by Dr. Beltre during your pre-surgical consultations.
The doctors at Beltre Bariatrics Center for Metabolic & Obesity Surgery have reviewed and approved this content.
Page Updated: