Mini Gastric Bypass vs Gastric Bypass
If you’ve been struggling to lose weight and are considering bariatric surgery as a possible solution, you may be overwhelmed by all the available surgical options. Knowing which surgery is best for you requires a basic understanding of the benefits and risks of each procedure.
While some surgeries result in significant weight loss, there could be a higher risk of complications and side effects. Mini versions of some popular surgeries are available for patients who don’t need to lose a considerable amount of weight or are concerned about side effects and recovery time.
Serving patients from across the world, ALO Bariatrics offers three convenient locations across Mexico. Choose from Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Puerto Vallarta to start your weight loss journey while in premier tourist destinations.
Mini Gastric Bypass vs. Gastric Bypass: The Quick Answer
Mini gastric bypass is a less invasive, less complicated form of traditional gastric bypass. It leads to just as much weight loss and can have added benefits related to recovery while reducing potential side effects for patients.
Mini Gastric Bypass vs. Gastric Bypass: What’s the Difference Between Procedures?
The main difference between a mini gastric bypass and a traditional gastric bypass is a single anastomosis (reconnection) of the small intestine. A single anastomosis makes the mini gastric bypass a less complicated surgery and has a smaller effect on absorption. While there is still some rerouting of the small intestine, it is a much smaller section that’s bypassed.
Traditional gastric bypass has multiple reconnections and reroutes a larger section of the small intestine, making it more complicated and having a bigger impact on absorption. Both procedures can be completed through minimally invasive techniques and leave little to no scarring.
How the Gastric Bypass Procedure Works
A gastric bypass works by restrictive and malabsorptive mechanisms. The combination of restriction and malabsorption can lead to significant weight loss in patients who stick to a healthy diet and exercise.
The restrictive component of gastric bypass comes from the surgical formation of a new, smaller pouch that serves as your stomach which will only be able to hold about two to five ounces of food or liquid at a time. As a result, you’ll eat significantly less food throughout each day and achieve a calorie deficit more quickly.
With a smaller stomach, you’ll feel satisfied with smaller portions. Some of the hormones that normally cause hunger will be lower after gastric bypass surgery, and many experience fewer cravings. Conversely, the hormones that make you feel full will increase, and you’ll be satisfied with less food.
The malabsorptive part of the surgery is caused by rerouting some of the small intestines. There are a total of two reconnections. A large section of the small intestine is bypassed, which leads to fewer calories being absorbed. This can lead to weight loss but could potentially cause nutritional deficiencies for some individuals.
How the Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery Works
Mini gastric bypass surgery also works through restriction and malabsorption. However, the degree of malabsorption is less than with a traditional gastric bypass.
With a mini gastric bypass, a small pouch is created by splitting a small section of the top of the stomach off and stitching it closed. This small pouch will function as your new stomach while the rest of your old stomach is sealed off separately. A smaller stomach means you’ll consume fewer calories, which helps with weight loss.
Your new stomach will be joined with a section of the small intestines, bypassing only a small amount. This causes some degree of malabsorption, which is why it’s so effective in weight loss. However, a mini bypass has less chance of causing serious malabsorption issues, which can happen with a traditional gastric bypass.
Mini Gastric Bypass vs. Gastric Bypass: What’s the Difference in Outcomes?
In terms of weight loss, mini gastric bypass surgery can offer superior short-term results compared to traditional gastric bypass surgery. A review of multiple studies comparing traditional gastric bypass to mini gastric bypass at the two-year mark found no difference in weight loss between the two surgeries.
This means you don’t lose any positive results by choosing a mini gastric bypass and may have a faster recovery. A mini gastric bypass doesn’t take as long to complete and can be done with minimally invasive techniques. This leads to fewer risks of complications, shorter hospital stays, and a return to your normal life sooner. Since the effect on absorption is smaller, patients who undergo mini gastric bypass also don’t have as many issues with nutrient deficiencies.
When the orientation of the small intestine is changed, how quickly food moves through your gastrointestinal tract can also change. You experience less diarrhea, bloating, and excessive gas if you choose the mini gastric bypass, as only a small section of the intestine is bypassed.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery and aren’t sure which procedure to choose, speak with a board-certified bariatric surgeon today to discuss the differences between these procedures in detail.
How Does a Mini Gastric Bypass Compare to a Gastric Sleeve?
A gastric sleeve and a mini gastric bypass are different bariatric surgeries. A gastric sleeve is only a restrictive type of surgery, while mini gastric bypass is restrictive and malabsorptive.
With a gastric sleeve, about 80% of the stomach is permanently removed, and the small intestines are not altered. This results in no significant impact on the absorption of calories and nutrients as they move through the gastrointestinal tract.
Mini gastric bypass doesn’t permanently remove parts of the stomach but essentially seals off a small section that serves as the new stomach. A short part of the small intestine is bypassed, causing mild changes to absorption.
Both surgeries can be completed through minimally invasive techniques. Mini gastric bypass is less complicated and doesn’t require as much time in the operating room.
Which Procedure is Right for Me?
The decision on which surgery will be best for you should be made in consultation with an experienced bariatric surgeon. No two weight loss surgeries are the same, and no two patients are the same. The best surgery for you will depend on several factors. Make sure you get all your questions answered when you consult with a surgeon. Factors to consider when comparing surgeries include effectiveness, risk of short-term complications, long-term side effects, and the overall risk of the procedure.
Lifestyle Changes Post-Surgery
The lifestyle changes you must implement and keep after weight loss surgery are just as important as the surgery itself. Your success depends on your determination and willingness to lead a healthier lifestyle.
After a mini gastric bypass surgery, you may not require as much time to recover compared to a traditional gastric bypass. Following the activity recommendations and easing into routine exercise will help ensure a smooth recovery and lasting weight loss.
Since your stomach will be considerably smaller than before, and you’ll not be able to eat as much as before, getting the right nutrition from the foods you eat is critical. Working with a dietician who has experience in patients with recent bariatric surgery will give you the tools you need to support a healthy intake of nutrients and continue to reach your weight-loss goals.
Ask the Expert Accredited Surgeons at ALO Bariatrics
ALO Bariatrics is a premier destination for patients from across the globe seeking effective weight-loss solutions. Medical tourism is an increasingly popular option for many who are looking for the same quality care as the USA and Canada at a more affordable price.
With convenient tourist locations in Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Puerto Vallarta, you’ll get to choose where you’d like to have world-class surgery. Experience customer service at its finest when your personal driver picks you up from the airport, drives you to your luxury accommodations, and accompanies you to every appointment.
Set up a consultation today and discover why so many choose ALO Bariatrics to begin their weight-loss journey in Mexico.
Dr. Alejandro Lopez, the owner and lead bariatric surgeon at ALO Bariatrics, is a Fellow at the American College of Surgeons and is accredited with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He is also a certified bariatric surgeon by the Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases. He is one of two surgeons in Tijuana and one out of five to ten in all of Mexico who is able to provide robotic surgery.