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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) indirectly leads to weight gain and makes it really hard for you to lose excess fats. For this reason, it can be stated that there is a close relationship between obesity and PCOS. Gastric sleeve is a treatment for obesity, not for polycystic ovary syndrome. However, as the surgery helps lose weight, women who have PCOS may see additional benefits as their overall health and PCOS-related problems will improve.

If you wonder about gastric sleeve and PCOS, in the article you can find some useful information regarding the benefits of this sort of weight loss surgery for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. We’ll explain the correlation of gastric sleeve and PCOS with your metabolism, hormones, and more. You’ll also find out about pregnancy after the surgery and health insurance coverage for gastric sleeve patients with PCOS.

What is the relationship between obesity and PCOS?

Around half of the women suffering from PCOS experience obesity. Because of hormonal imbalance, both of them are affected by each other. Here is how one imbalance leads to other disorders.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the endocrine disorders, and the endocrine system is responsible for creating and distributing hormones throughout the body. An endocrine disease starts when your body is making too much or not enough of a specific hormone, for example, estrogen.

Estrogen is a sex hormone, which can also change how your body responds to insulin. Changes in estrogen can be the reason for a rise or fall in your blood sugar. Obesity makes your cells resistant to insulin signals. As a result, your pancreas continues to overproduce insulin. In the end, excessive insulin causes weight gain through fat storage and it’s more difficult for you to lose weight.

With insulin resistance, the cells are insensitive to the action of insulin. Diet plays a very important role here. Abnormal bacteria inhabiting the intestine produce an ingredient, which penetrates through the intestines into the bloodstream, causing insulin resistance. The result is an increase in obesity, insulin resistance, and increased production of androgens.

Can I get gastric sleeve if I have PCOS?

Yes, you certainly can. There aren’t any restrictions against undergoing weight loss surgery if you suffer from PCOS. Just the opposite, this surgical procedure might in fact be a great help with not only obesity but also polycystic ovary syndrome. Your surgery may lead to significant improvement in both fertility and other symptoms of PCOS that you experience.

If you suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome and can’t lose weight despite trying everything, you might benefit from sleeve gastrectomy when you are morbidly obese (BMI over 40), or obese (BMI over 35) with some health conditions related to it. 

You must know that polycystic ovary syndrome can’t be cured entirely. Medicine is still not able to know its exact causes. What we understand so far is that this is a complex disorder and there are many factors that may influence it. Increased insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are associated with increased production of androgens.

However, the results of weight loss surgeries like sleeve gastrectomy are highly positive in improving PCOS symptoms. Gastric sleeve surgery may significantly decrease the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, which can be achieved through major weight loss. So remember that symptoms of PCOS can be improved with amazing effects, including solving the infertility problem by regulating your periods.

Benefits of gastric sleeve surgery for people with PCOS

Gastric sleeve benefits for PCOS are significant, and they are visible in many ways. Sleeve gastrectomy causes a major weight loss within more or less one year following the procedure. The surgery’s positive effects on women with PCOS include solving the following problems related to this syndrome:

• insulin resistance
• hyperandrogenism
• menstrual irregularity
• ovulatory dysfunction
• infertility

Remember that polycystic ovary syndrome treatment should always be adapted to your individual needs.

Adjusting metabolism

Will gastric sleeve make a person with PCOS lose weight? Yes, it most probably will. Weight loss procedures are commonly known as metabolic surgeries. The long-term effects on metabolism and gastrointestinal hormones of gastric sleeve surgery are widely known. Sleeve gastrectomy leads to a significant decrease in BMI for women with PCOS-related symptoms to adjust their metabolism. After weight loss, there is a visible resolution of metabolic syndrome. 

You may think that the only reason for losing weight after gastric sleeve surgery is a smaller stomach: you eat less and therefore lose your excess kilograms. Well, you must know it’s not that simple. Remember, the success of a result of your sleeve gastrectomy is not only related to your decreased calorie intake. Sleeve gastrectomy makes eating less possible also by removing ghrelin, aka hunger hormone.

Gastric sleeve surgery changes fat storage metabolism, lowers blood sugar, and therefore increases the metabolic rate. Regulation of metabolic functions happens thanks to a system of hormones, and most of these hormones are produced in your stomach. Changing the tissues from which the hormones come creates a long-term positive metabolic change.

Insulin resistance

Let’s have a closer look at how weight loss helps PCOS. A study shows that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity can get beneficial effects from a body weight loss of even 5%. Weight loss improves insulin resistance, and therefore, sex hormone levels which in turn improves ovulatory function.

Gastric sleeve surgery can prevent or reverse metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS, which can help to reduce the risk of many illnesses like cardiovascular conditions, insulin resistance, glucose abnormalities, hypertension, and diabetes. For this reason, it is very helpful for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Insulin resistance can improve rapidly after the surgery.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are often insulin resistant. It means that their bodies can make insulin but aren’t able to use it effectively. For this reason the risk of type 2 diabetes increases. However, after your weight loss through gastric surgery, normal hormonal balance will be achieved. This change is going to regulate your ability to process and produce insulin in the right amounts.

Menstrual cycles & hormonal balance

One of them is an imbalance of reproductive hormones and therefore an irregularity of your menstrual cycles too. Weight loss surgery will affect hormonal levels and this eventually improves your menstrual cycles too. While your body is rearranging these cycles, you may face irregular periods for some amount of time and changes in your menstrual cycle flow. Remember that after a few months, your body will adapt to more regular cycles.

Hormonal balance is very much influenced by obesity and fat distribution in your body. Gastric sleeve surgery highly affects the menstrual cycle by helping to regulate your hormones. Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with menstrual cycle disorders and hormonal imbalance, therefore infrequent or absent ovulation. As a result, many women with PCOS have difficulty getting pregnant. It’s worth remembering, however, that a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome is not equivalent to a diagnosis of infertility, and pregnancy can in fact be possible.

Fertility

So, hormonal balance and more regular menstrual cycles after your sleeve gastrectomy, will of course affect your fertility. Getting pregnant after a gastric sleeve with PCOS is more likely to happen than before your weight loss surgery. Polycystic ovary syndrome might be the reason for irregular menstrual cycles, as well as infertility and cysts in the ovaries. Many studies show that gastric sleeve surgery can, in fact, have reproductive beneficial effects for PCOS and lead to a healthy pregnancy. 

The surgeon and your OB-GYN should weigh the risks of sleeve gastrectomy against the benefits such as long-term improvement in your health and a longer and better quality of life. Keep in mind that you can get pregnant no earlier than after a year and a half after the surgery. By that time your post-op diet will end, but you need to keep up the good work going. Your dietary choices play a huge part in this process when it comes to both losing weight and increasing your fertility.

Does insurance cover gastric sleeve surgery for PCOS patients?

Yes, it indeed can, but it depends on your insurance criteria. Most high-quality insurance companies cover weight loss surgeries that treat obesity-related diseases, which include gastric sleeve and PCOS. It’s crucial though that before deciding to undergo this kind of procedure you need to contact your insurance company and discuss the coverage of your insurance specifically. Keep in mind that most companies have a list of requirements that you will have to investigate in the case of your insurance.

Pay attention to whether your PCOS is accepted at a standard price when you apply for life insurance. It will probably require you not to have any other medical syndromes and your polycystic ovary syndrome to be under control. In the case of some health insurance companies, your PCOS might be considered a pre-existing problem. If so, it may affect the waiting period before you can claim your treatment. You should always check in detail if you meet all the insurance criteria before you decide to undergo your sleeve gastrectomy procedure for polycystic ovary syndrome.

After your surgery, you might feel pain either because of your incisions or you may feel disturbed about the side effects; or simply there could be medications that you regularly use and you may wonder how to take them. Taking medication after gastric surgery requires attention and further research. What we know for sure is that every drug should be evaluated in detail when it comes to its absorption and therefore effectiveness.

Some of the pharmaceuticals may cause potential harm to the stomach. The situation of every patient is individual, so you need to discuss the usage of any kind of drug with your surgeon. If you take prescribed medication, make sure to inform your doctor about it. Never buy any supplements or other “innocent” looking vitamins or minerals without previous consultation with a physician. Remember that you should always be cautious when taking medications after gastric sleeve.

Which medications can you use after gastric sleeve?

There are many different types of drugs that you may need or want to take after your gastric sleeve surgery. They might be over-the-counter painkillers, cold medicine, hormonal medications, and many others. Some of these medications after gastric sleeve require a prescription and some are the drugs that you use on a regular basis. You might need others due to the surgery itself and you’ll be given them at the hospital as your discharge medications.

DisclaimerThese are general acknowledgments. Before using any medications, make sure you consult your doctor.

What pain medication can I take after gastric sleeve surgery?

You may use drugs containing paracetamol and acetaminophen as a pain medication after gastric sleeve. They are less harmful to your stomach, unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These you should be avoiding for a while, because they may cause stomach ulsters and be the reason for other side effects on your sensitive stomach. Ask your doctor for prescription pain medication to make sure they won’t cause you any post-op complications.

What cold meds can you take after gastric sleeve?

For common colds, you may use paracetamol, which is an analgesic/antipyretic drug. You can also buy acetaminophen to treat fever and pain. To cure cough you may take dextromethorphan or guaifenesin. Keep in mind that cold symptoms are in fact similar to some side effects of sleeve gastrectomy. Consult your doctor to make sure about what your symptoms actually mean, because they don’t necessarily have to be a sign of a cold.

Can you take antibiotics after gastric sleeve?

You will most probably get antibiotics before your gastric sleeve surgery to help reduce the risk of infection. Keep in mind that you must avoid taking any of these types of medication without a prescription. You may only consume antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, or otherwise, they can interfere with the healing process and cause damage to your health.

When taking prescribed antibiotics you can ask your doctor about probiotic therapy, which is going to improve your gut microflora and help you avoid a yeast infection.

What can I take for constipation or diarrhea?

Anti-diarrhea medications are safe to use after gastric sleeve and Loperamide is one of them. You may also ask your doctor about probiotics after the gastric sleeve that won’t cause you any harm, but on the opposite – have a positive impact on the recovery of your digestive system. Remember about proper water intake to avoid dehydration and therefore diarrhea. While fiber is very important in your post-op diet, try increasing it gradually. 

Sleeve gastrectomy may easily cause constipation too. Stool softeners after gastric sleeve are oral osmotics, such as magnesium hydroxide, and stimulant laxatives.

What meds can I take to relieve gas pain?

Gas x after gastric sleeve can be a great solution if you are facing a common problem of excess gas after the surgery. Increased gas is common in the first 3-6 weeks. Medicine generally recommended in this situation is Gas-X, or any other drugs that are including simethicone as needed for gas pain relief. They are the drugs that will most probably be well tolerated by your stomach, but you need to make sure and ask your physician about using them.

Can I take meds for my GERD?

Yes, you can take acid reflux medication after gastric sleeve, if your doctor prescribes them. Medications that are usually used for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) include antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.

Gastric sleeve surgery might make symptoms of GERD worse. If you didn’t experience GERD before, keep in mind that this procedure can create additional pressure on your lower esophagus and therefore cause reflux.

What allergy medicine can I take after gastric sleeve?

Allergy medications are safe to take after sleeve gastrectomy unless combined with NSAIDs, which can be harmful after the surgery. Generally, allergy drugs recommended after gastric sleeve surgery are those containing diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, phenylephrine, or pseudoephedrine.

The question here is whether some antiallergic treatment is at risk of being ineffective due to worse dissolution after the procedure. One study shows that the absorption of desloratadine-based medications doesn’t change after gastric sleeve surgery, so they should be preferred over loratadine-based drugs. Keep in mind that antiallergic therapy after the surgery requires special attention from your doctor.

Am I able to take my thyroid medication after gastric sleeve?

After gastric sleeve surgery, patients with higher TSH levels are recommended to switch from tablet levothyroxine to a liquid solution or crushed powder. Thyroxine dosage might require reduction due to your weight loss, so your thyroid condition has to be monitored after your sleeve gastrectomy.

Can I continue with my psychiatric medications?

It’s extremely important that any kind of psychiatric medication, such as antidepressants or ADHD meds after gastric sleeve, should be prescribed medications under monitoring. The reason for this is potential reductions in drug absorption. Patients need to be monitored closely for the first 6-12 months following the procedure.

Depression and anxiety symptoms improved in a majority of cases after gastric sleeve surgery. Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication were changed in 1/3 of cases, by decreasing the dosage or even discontinuation the treatment. In the case of patients with depression and anxiety whose symptoms improved, the drugs were decreased or discontinued in a very high number of over 90%. 

Can I take melatonin after gastric sleeve?

Melatonin after gastric sleeve can be a safe and effective premedication. It may also improve sleep quality and recovery from both the surgery and anesthesia, and decrease your pain level. A study shows that the usage of melatonin improves the quality of recovery 1 day after bariatric surgery.

Sleeping pills after gastric sleeve aren’t suggested without first talking to your doctor. If you suffer from insomnia, consult with your physician before you decide to take any sleep medications.

Can you take collagen after gastric sleeve surgery?

The benefits of taking collagen after gastric sleeve surgery might be most useful when it comes to decreasing appetite, muscle growth, or healing your wounds. Collagen might in fact be a good addition to your diet, but there aren’t enough studies yet to support it. If you want to get collagen benefits, especially for wound healing and muscle growth, you additionally need to consume food that is rich in protein sources, as well as vitamin C, and always remember to drink enough water.

Can you use hormonal medications?

Hormonal medications may include birth control pills, or steroids You should discuss steroid use with your surgeon before deciding to undergo a gastric sleeve surgery. Steroids after gastric sleeve may cause weight gain, and therefore obesity. During your healing process, chronic intake of steroids might lead to infection, wound breakdown, or problems related to blood pressure and glucose control.

What about other hormonal medications? Can you take birth control pills after gastric sleeve? Taking estrogen-containing medications should be stopped for a minimum of two weeks after your sleeve gastrectomy. They may cause blood clots, so using them after the operation can be dangerous.

It’s crucial that pregnancy should be avoided for approximately 12–18 months after gastric sleeve surgery. However, you need to know that all the changes in your digestive tract that affect your nutrition also affect how you absorb certain oral medications. It’s also the case with birth control pills, which are less effective after your sleeve gastrectomy. You should discuss with your OB-GYN other, non-oral forms of contraceptive treatment.

Can you take viagra after gastric sleeve?

First of all, patients are generally suggested not to take Viagra a day before and after any kind of surgery because the nitric oxide of this drug combined with anesthetics may increase hypotension. This sort of abnormal fall in blood pressure may lead to heart and multi-organ failure and be extremely dangerous.

Remember that weight loss surgeries, including sleeve gastrectomy, are in fact helpful when it comes to male sex hormones and therefore improve erectile function. You probably won’t feel like having sexual intercourse after your surgery, and it’s also not recommended for some weeks after the procedure. Following your healing process, you will most probably experience positive changes in your sex life after gastric sleeve surgery.

Keep in mind that many drugs are absorbed in a different manner after your sleeve gastrectomy, so you need to ask your doctor about that too.

Does gastric sleeve affect medication absorption?

How are medications absorbed differently after gastric sleeve surgery? Remember that your stomach is recovering after the operation, so it won’t be able to absorb drugs in the same way for some time. You’ll need to discuss with your doctor whether to reduce dosages of some of the medications after gastric sleeve, or even refrain from taking certain drugs temporarily or indefinitely.

An example of drugs that need to be mentioned here is extended release medication after gastric sleeve. This kind of medicine can be difficult to absorb after your sleeve gastrectomy, so you should avoid using them entirely.

How to take medication after gastric sleeve

Your diet following gastric sleeve surgery is going to be based on liquids for at least two weeks, and so should your medications. If you can’t find a liquid version of your drugs, you may choose tablets or capsules too, but they have to be open or crushed and mixed with some fluids. Another option is medications that can be chewed or that can be taken sublingually. This form of drug delivery allows faster and better absorption. Pay attention to the sugar level in these liquid medications, because some of them may contain a lot of glucose.

Vitamins for gastric bypass patients are always part of the journey after the surgery has been performed. Their essentiality is certain based on the schedules when to have them on a daily routine. The reason is to maintain overall health stabilization and avoid any complications.

Mineral supplements come in different shapes and forms, and you are recommended to take easy-to-swallow and not tough on the stomach kind in the early stages. Also, it is important to take the essential vitamins separately from the meds with standard doses to avoid ineffective absorption.

This article will cover the types of gastric bypass vitamins you need and why. Scroll down for more details.

Why are vitamins essential to use after gastric bypass?

Post operation your body’s digesting and absorbing system changes so you need to have vitamins so your body will keep proper nutrition. You need nutritional supplements to help your body balance minerals to not face any sort of deficiencies. Your body challenges you to take in the minerals from the tiny portions you eat after the surgery.

With the supplements, you keep your immune system strong, good care for your skin, and regenerate energy in your body. Therefore your dietitian or bariatric team shall recommend a few options for you depending on your situation.

How does the surgery change vitamin absorption?

Gastric bypass surgery aims to reduce food intake like any other bariatric procedure. However, the reason for the low vitamin absorption is due to the anatomy of the procedure. The stomach is resized and directly connected to smaller intestines to help less calorie and nutrition absorption.

Smaller intestines are responsible for absorbing all the nutriment that comes from the food, but after the surgery, the food passes through that in a shorter amount of time which makes it hard to absorb enough elements from the food.

The digestive system manipulation and low absorption will leave your body in need of more vitamin intake, that’s why every gastric bypass patient is required to keep up with supplements and minerals.

Here are recommended gastric bypass vitamins

The vitamins needed after gastric bypass to maintain health are 4 and they are calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iron. There are also multivitamin packs that may be more than the gastric bypass vitamins list needed, but there is no harm in that. The pack may include zinc, Magnesium, etc. That will not cause any misusage or have side effects.

Here is why you need each micronutrient:

Calcium&vitamin D: You need calcium in your body running to maintain strong joints, and healthy bones, and also, to lower the risk of osteoporosis. This will help your mobility, especially your knees for walking because the legs are the most to be from one place to another.

Vitamin B12&Iron: B12 and iron are very important and responsible for the oxygen cycle in the blood cell formation, fight inflammation, and never system boost. This also prevents anemia which has many symptoms such as dizziness, pale skin, etc.

Your body doesn’t need only those four, you can also take additional supplements such as multivitamins to keep a good balance. Furthermore, you will pass your days disease-free and complication-free during your weight loss journey. However, do not take too much of something follow your doctor’s tables and schedules given for you and take those supplements at the right time and place.

How to take vitamins the right way

Doctors will give you a heads-up before the operation about the gastric bypass vitamin schedule and you will be noted when to take them post-op. Therefore keep a close eye on the schedules given, and recommendations. However, you need to separate the times when you have your meds and vitamins. For a heads up, have those supplements in liquid or chewable forms because the very first and second stage after bariatric surgery is full liquid and soft food.

Monitor your nutritional intake and check for any signs of fatigue, hair loss, mood swings, and physical weakness, which might be caused due to nutritional deficiency. If any of those are constant and chronic, it is best to visit your doctor for a blood test to check your overall health.

Take vitamins separately from other medications

The importance of taking meds and supplements separately is quite serious. Taking both of them together might cause a reaction and confection of absorbing the substances. Taking each one at a different time will not confuse the body’s digestion of what is being taken and proper absorption.

It is best to talk to your health care provider to know when to take each of them because the affection of either meds or vitamins will be less. Or even worse it might upset the stomach, therefore the safest option is to take them in different periods.

Consider chewable or liquid vitamins

Gastric bypass patients must take chewable and liquid vitamins in the early stages until solid food stages. However, the options for gummy vitamins vary on the shelves. You need sugar-free ones that are also rich in minerals.

You can move on to non-chewable vitamins when your healthcare provider recommends them. It is safe to take once you fully recover from the surgical stitches and are able to tolerate solid food. Consequently, you will be lowering the potential irritation of the weight loss surgery stitches or digestive system. 

Potential risks of vitamin deficiency after roux-en-y

The main four micronutrients are very essential after roux-en-y gastric bypass to maintain overall health. What are the consequences of not taking vitamins after gastric bypass? Facing anemia & bone loss due to vitamin deficiency alongside excess weight issues becomes challenging to maintain quality of life. That can be also mentally challenging because vitamin shortage in your body can lead to depression and anxiety.

Avoiding symptoms of mineral deficiency after gastric bypass with recommended diet and supplements will increase the motivation to lose weight. Speaking of motivation, combining physical activity and vitamins helps significantly from many angles such as muscle build, absorption, and bone strengthening.

Anemia

Anemia is caused due to lack of B12 deficiency which is having a low stream of oxygen in the blood cells. Here are common symptoms of anemia after a gastric bypass procedure:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness and pale skin
• Cold hands and feet

That means you need to recalculate your food intake alongside your supplements, if the issue felt constant and unsolvable, then visit a doctor to examine you and fix the problem whether it’s habitual or a choice of supplements.

Bone loss

Bone loss is a weakness in bones and it is possible after gastric bypass due to many reasons such as nutritional malabsorption, rapid weight loss, hormonal changes, and lack of physical activity.

Calcium and vitamin D supplements are one of the sources to boost your bone health all around your health. For a more supplement-wise source for bone strength and density, protein shakes would be a great idea to add to your diet plans.

Our bodies have many kinds of hormones and estrogen hormone is responsible for bone health. That mostly affects women more than men in general. You can balance the hormone levels with vitamin D supplements. To fight the problem is keeping the workout routine and eventually by the time the hormones will balance and it won’t be a problem to even begin with.

Depression and anxiety

Having low levels of vitamin B1, B12, D, and Iron supplements, alongside complications, also could cause mental challenges. Here is how: 

Vitamin B1 deficiency: Having a deficiency in B1 aka Thiamine can lead to nerve-related functioning and face difficulties cooperating and impairing learning, making decisions, and focusing. This can be something not to worry about at first but it can also get severe.

Vitamin B12 deficiency: You should have B12 nutritional to strengthen the nervous system and brain. Being low on B12 can cause stress and the consistency of it could lead to anxiety or even depression.

Vitamin D deficiency: We all know vitamin D is good for the physical self like bones, and muscles but it is also linked to mental state since it also feeds the brain as well. Lacking Vitamin D will bring out signs of anxiety and depression.

You as a gastric bypass patient go through physical and mental challenges right after surgery and try to deal with them and cooperate with a whole new lifestyle. That alone can be overwhelming for someone and it needs balanced supplemental support. You can always have your vitamin levels checked by visiting your doctor to see if they are too low, too high, or the way they should be.

References:

Gasmi A, Bjørklund G, Mujawdiya PK, Semenova Y, Peana M, Dosa A, Piscopo S, Gasmi Benahmed A, Costea DO. Micronutrients deficiences in patients after bariatric surgery. Eur J Nutr. 2022 Feb;61(1):55-67. doi: 10.1007/s00394-021-02619-8. Epub 2021 Jul 23. PMID: 34302218.

Paccou J, Caiazzo R, Lespessailles E, Cortet B. Bariatric Surgery and Osteoporosis. Calcif Tissue Int. 2022 May;110(5):576-591. doi: 10.1007/s00223-020-00798-w. Epub 2021 Jan 5. PMID: 33403429.

There are many different weight loss procedures and cosmetic surgeries that can help you lose weight. Some might also solve several obesity-related health problems, while others are only designed to remove your body fat. Among so many options available, you should focus on your needs and find the best treatment for yourself.  When it comes to gastric bypass vs liposuction, which procedure is the one you should consider if you want to get rid of your excess weight?

Which is more effective for obese patients?: Gastric bypass vs liposuction

You need to remember that aesthetic treatments, such as liposuction, aren’t a cure for obesity and therefore can’t replace weight loss surgery like a gastric bypass. Both procedures have different purposes, complications, recovery processes, and costs. So, if you wonder which is better liposuction or gastric bypass, have a closer look at some details of these very different kinds of surgeries and the way they can affect your weight loss.

Purpose of the surgeries

First of all, gastric bypass remains the gold standard among all bariatric procedures. It’s a malabsorptive and restrictive medical treatment for obesity that helps you lose excess weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine work. Meanwhile, liposuction for weight loss is a cosmetic procedure, in which suction removes fat cells from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen.

The purpose of gastric bypass surgery is to make you lose over 80% of your unwanted body weight within the timeframe of 18 to 24 months following the surgery. Most importantly, you undergo this surgery not only for effective weight loss but also for health reasons. The treatment of liposuction, on the other hand, shapes your figure, and this process is called contouring, or body contouring. This procedure may be a good option in case you have some stubborn pockets of body fat in specific places but otherwise, your weight is in a range of 20-25 BMI.

So to say, one of the reasons why bypass has such great results is that you have to change your lifestyle in order to succeed after the surgery. With cosmetic fat reduction surgery, you can continue an unhealthy diet, regain your excess weight, and not be able to get your health back on track.

How they work differs

Both procedures are carried out differently. When it comes to a gastric bypass, the food will no longer go into big parts of your stomach and small intestine, so it’s not going to be absorbed. For this reason, you’ll start losing weight very quickly and follow a healthy diet suitable for gastric bypass patients. In liposuction however neither your stomach nor intestine will be changed. There are different types of this procedure, but the most popular technique is the suction-assisted one, which means the doctor is going to remove your stubborn fat.

The gastric bypass procedure itself consists of two major steps. Your stomach is divided into an upper part and a lower part. Then a part of the intestine is rerouted and attached to the upper part of your stomach. While the liposuction procedure, the surgeon injects a mixture of sterile solution and medicines into the area. The solution aids fat removal, and medicines relieve pain, as well as minimize bleeding. Then he or she creates small cuts into your skin and inserts a thin tube called a cannula, which is connected to a vacuum that suctions both fat and fluids.

Surgery itself is a different concept

Keep in mind that a surgical treatment such as liposuction isn’t a cure for obesity problem and that’s the chief difference from a gastric bypass surgery.

Liposuction is an aesthetic intervention, not a treatment for serious conditions like high cholesterol levels, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. If you suffer from such health problems, keep in mind that gastric bypass is a solution for those. In the case of liposuction, your stubborn fat cells are taken out during the process and do not grow back in that specific area.

If you’re looking for a long-term solution to your weight loss and obesity-related chronic diseases, you should consider weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass. This sort of procedure changes your digestive system and affects your appetite and lifestyle.

How much weight you lose differs

Another difference between liposuction and gastric bypass is weight loss. Gastric bypass is a metabolic surgery, which can result in even up to over 70% of your excess weight. Most liposuction patients on the other hand lose approximately 2 kg of fat from this procedure, a maximum of up to 5 kg.

In gastric bypass, your weight loss doesn’t happen immediately because it’s a long weight loss journey process that takes approximately between 1 and a half to 2 years. Liposuction on the other hand is designed for removing isolated, excess fat cells in specific areas. It does result in some weight loss as a side effect. Its main reason, however, is to change how you look. For the best results, you need to be relatively healthy and with a BMI of 18,5-25.

Recovery process is distinctive

Liposuction and gastric bypass differ when it comes to the healing process. After gastric bypass surgery, you will start your recovery process at the hospital. You will be at the hospital for 2–4 days for medical observation. After your liposuction operation, you can go home the same day. However, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation, in case you had a major amount of fat removed.

You will get a compression garment for your abdominal area after your liposuction. You may also have small drains placed at the surgical sites. You will most probably return to work in 2 weeks following the procedure. It’s not necessary to use compression garments after gastric bypass surgery, however, doctors recommend them for your legs. It’s safe to go back to work in 2-3 weeks following the gastric bypass procedure, depending on how you’re feeling.

During the first 6 weeks following your bypass surgery, you’ll be on a diet, starting from a liquid one, which will gradually include also solid foods. While your one-year recovery, you’ll have from 4 to 6 follow-up appointments for blood checkups in order to see if you are lacking any nutrients. When it comes to liposuction, after a month you won’t be feeling any pain anymore, and sometime later most of your bruises and swelling will go away. At this point you’ll likely no longer need your compression garments.

Here are some gastric bypass vs liposuction recovery process differences listed for you:

GASTRIC BYPASS	LIPOSUCTION
2-4 days hospital stay for medical observation	No need for a hospital stay unless otherwise specified
Compression socks to prevent blood clots	Compression garment for the stomach area
Back to work in 2-3 weeks	Back to work in 2 weeks
Specific diet after the surgery	No diet required
1 year recovery + check-ups	1-month recovery, no checkups specified

Risks and complications also vary

Both of the procedures may result in typical immediate post-op complications, which include reactions to anesthesia or other medications, bleeding, or infections. In general, while gastric bypass risks include more stomach-related complications, liposuction surgery includes more skin-related problems. In addition, gastric bypass problems can happen either in the short term or in the long-term; liposuction problems show up in the short run.

Liposuction complications can appear in the form of bruising, swelling, skin redness, discoloration, or any sort of irregularities and contour deformity; in extreme cases – skin necrosis. Short-term bypass risks include dumping syndrome, bowel obstruction, or constipation, while long-term problems usually occur as malabsorption, strictures, hiatal hernia, and gallstones.

Differences in pocket

Liposuction vs gastric bypass costs also differ. The price of gastric bypass varies between 5-35K. Since liposuction is less complicated, it’s also cheaper. The price of a liposuction procedure can range from 3K for one body area up to 15K for a full-body treatment.

Gastric bypass cost includes pre-op care, tests, the surgery itself, post-op care, and check-ups. It’s also related to different factors, such as country, facility, and bariatric surgeon that will perform the procedure. Also when it comes to liposuction surgery, its price depends on the country and other services provided by a specific clinic.

It’s easy to get all confused when trying to find the best possible weight loss surgery that is a perfect match for meeting your goals. There are many different procedures that involve bypassing or restricting your stomach and intestines. Duodenal switch and gastric bypass are one of them.  Duodenal switch vs gastric bypass – which of these procedures is more suitable for you?

 What you need to remember is that your health and safety are always crucial. Keep in mind that every weight loss surgery has its specific requirements, as well as positive outcomes and potential risks. In the article, you’ll read about the difference between gastric bypass and duodenal switch, so that you can choose the best surgery option with confidence and all the information you need.

Comparing two procedures: duodenal switch vs gastric bypass

The two procedures differ from one another, that’s a fact. Many patients think that the technique is different and focus on how much more weight they can lose. However, there is so much more to that. Remember that losing too much weight too much and too fast might not be the best solution to an obesity problem.

Both of these weight loss procedures are generally done laparoscopically and involve reducing the stomach size, by bypassing it or removing its big portion. They also both include bypassing some parts of the small intestine, which leads to a certain level of malabsorption. However, if you follow your dietary instructions during the post-op recovery period, you may avoid this problem in case of gastric bypass surgery. In the next article section, you’ll read about the main differences between these two surgeries and find out which one is safer and therefore recommended as a better option in your weight loss journey.

The main difference: surgical techniques

Gastric bypass (RYGB) is definitely less invasive. It’s also a gold standard for weight-loss surgery according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health. Gastric bypass is a procedure in which your intestines’ anatomy changes. This change alters the path of the food you eat. How does it happen?

During the gastric bypass procedure, a small stomach is created. It is then directly connected to a piece of your small intestine. This way it can bypass the main part of your stomach. When it comes to numbers, a gastric bypass surgery reduces your stomach size by about 70% to 80%, and the small intestine is shorter by approximately 30%.

Duodenal switch (DS) on the other hand is the most invasive and complex procedure among all bariatric surgeries. Your stomach size is reduced by 75-80% and the surgeon bypasses much longer part of the small intestines – about 75% of it. This surgery is both restrictive and malabsorptive, and it’s considered the most complicated one.

The duodenal switch removes a major part of the stomach and most of the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine connected to your stomach. You must know that it leads to a much higher risk of malabsorption and other potential problems following this procedure.

Which one is more effective for weight loss?

When it comes to metabolic benefits, both surgeries are successful in the effective loss of unwanted weight. In the case of a gastric bypass, you will approximately lose 70-75% of your excess weight, while after the duodenal switch – a minimum of 80%, up to even almost all of it. It’s the highest amount of excess weight loss you can possibly achieve among all kinds of gastric procedures.

Weight loss may include muscle, water, and fat loss altogether. What you want to achieve however is fat loss exclusively. With a duodenal switch, you will able to lose extreme weight, that’s a fact. Keep in mind that this weight loss will also include losing your muscles too. With gastric bypass, on the other hand, this kind of side effect is preventable with a proper diet.

Recovery and complication rates compared

It needs to be emphasized that we know many fewer potential risks related to gastric bypass vs duodenal switch surgery. These complications in most cases include infections, blood clots, bowel obstruction, dumping syndrome, malnutrition, gastric pouch stretching, ulcers, and gallstones.

Duodenal switch is a newer procedure with a variety of complications that occur much more often. It’s still considered an experimental surgery that comes with more potential risks. Apart from the problems associated with gastric bypass, duodenal switch patients face risks that also include higher nutrition deficiency, leakage, hemorrhaging, protein malabsorption, and gastrointestinal side effects, just to name a few.

The major complication of duodenal switch is nutritional deficiency. It is going to affect micronutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin B1, folate, zinc, and calcium, as well as A, D, E, and K vitamins. As a result of this malnutrition, you can suffer from iron deficiency, anemia, osteomalacia, or osteoporosis.

A problem very specific to the duodenal switch is steatorrhea – pale, bulky, foul-smelling feces. It occurs because of abnormal fat contents in the stool, as a result of extreme malabsorption.

Duodenal switch vs gastric bypass: nutritional differences

Gastric bypass is a better choice if you consider nutrient deficiencies after the surgery because you only take supplements for a few months following the procedure. Duodenal switch bypasses much longer part of the small intestines, therefore the malabsorption risk is much higher. Less protein and fat are absorbed causing more nutritional deficiencies, so you have to use supplements for life. There is also a bigger risk of dumping syndrome in the case of duodenal switch surgery. Altogether it puts patients at much greater risk of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies in the future.

Comparing long-term health benefits

You need to remember that when it comes to both of the surgeries, you will have frequent follow-up appointments with your doctor, a year up to two years following the surgery. During this time your physician will monitor the progress and overall health condition. You’ll have regular blood checks for nutrition and take daily supplements to prevent deficiencies.

In the case of a duodenal switch though these periodic appointments are going to take place for the rest of your life. The first year and a half up to two years, you are going to experience the most dramatic weight loss period. Also, the risk of long-term malnutrition will definitely be much higher.

Cost comparison between the duodenal switch and gastric bypass

The cost of a gastric bypass around the world is between 5-35K, while the price of the duodenal switch can range from 5-42K, so the cost of both procedures is comparable.

You should know that the overall cost of both surgeries depends on many different aspects, which include medical tests, pre-op care, the procedure itself, post-op care, and follow-up visits. The variety of prices is also related to other factors like country, clinic, and, last but not least, your bariatric surgeon. Note that the surgery cost is usually half of the overall price.

Choosing the best procedure for your weight loss goal

If you give priority to your health more than losing weight, bypass is a great option for you as a duodenal switch comes with many risks and side effects.

The duodenal switch may be considered a last resort weight loss surgery after other procedures failed, in patients with a BMI over 50. Some surgeons might recommend a duodenal switch vs gastric bypass if you suffer from ulcers because a pouch that is formed with bypass surgery is extremely small. For this reason, it’s almost impossible for ulcers to be found after gastric bypass surgery.

However, many surgeons will discourage you from undergoing a duodenal switch procedure. It’s still an experimental method and the most aggressive kind of weight loss surgery. Not enough studies show that it’s safe because of its complexity and many potential side effects. Last but not least, duodenal switch surgery type might also result in slightly higher perioperative mortality.

References:

Maclellan WC, Johnson JM. Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: Still the Gold Standard? Surg Clin North Am. 2021 Apr;101(2):161-175. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2020.12.013. PMID: 33743961.

Biertho L, Simon-Hould F, Marceau S, Lebel S, Lescelleur O, Biron S. Current Outcomes of Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch. Ann Surg Innov Res. 2016 Jan 21;10:1. doi: 10.1186/s13022-016-0024-7. PMID: 26807142; PMCID: PMC4722734.

Hedberg J, Sundström J, Sundbom M. Duodenal switch versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity: systematic review and meta-analysis of weight results, diabetes resolution and early complications in single-centre comparisons. Obes Rev. 2014 Jul;15(7):555-63. doi: 10.1111/obr.12169. Epub 2014 Mar 25. PMID: 24666623.

Gastric bypass vs lap band is quite a comparison to have if you are considering weight loss surgery. Both surgeries are for losing weight and each one depends on how much you want to lose based on your overall health. Furthermore, you might not be a fit candidate for one type of surgery therefore you go for an alternative option. 

This article will brighten up the idea of which one would be more suitable for you when it comes to gastric bypass vs lap band comparison. As a general idea, they differ in terms of how much you can lose weight, the anatomy of each surgery, complications, and more. However, your case must be studied by your doctor and they will determine which one is best for you based on keeping you healthy. That will keep the success rate high and guarantee a fortunate and effective procedure.

What is the difference between a lap band and a gastric bypass?

RYGB is a rearrangement of the intestines and stomach put together, meanwhile, lap band operation consists of wrapping a device around the upper stomach. However, the difference between gastric bypass and gastric band has a wider comparison than this. There are many differences in techniques, excess weight loss journey, risk of complications, reversibility, and average cost.

What is the best weight loss surgery lap band or gastric bypass surgery? That depends on your personal case and that can be diagnosed after a visit to the doctor.

Understanding both procedures

Lap band surgery vs gastric bypass anatomically differs completely because there are different approaches and different techniques to perform the surgery. This table helps us understand both of the procedures and how they are surgically handled:

	Gastric bypass	Lap band
Procedure	stomach resize+ intestine bypassed	upper stomach band
Enhancement	Reversible	Adjustable
Invasiveness	More invasive	Less invasive
AVG weight lost	60-70%	30-50%

Whilst both bariatric surgeries are done laparoscopically in modern days, they differ in how the bariatric team approaches the stomach and intestines. The gastric bypass procedure involves making a small stomach pouch and a direct connection with the smaller intestines. The gastric band does not require any cutting in organs but only a band strapped around the upper portion of the stomach.

Due to gastric bypass complexity, the procedure is more invasive and requires a specialized yet recommended bariatric surgeon for safe outcomes. A lap band, on the other hand, doesn’t require any cutting other than the incisions around the belly. 

In case of improvement is required due to complications, the lap band can be tightened, loosened, or removed to help the patient have more adequate weight loss. Whereas gastric bypass surgery has a more complicated approach that requires reattaching intestines and stapling. Moreover, gastric bypass enhancement will require a hospital stay for recovery.

Effectiveness and weight loss compared

Generally, bariatric surgeries are made to find a solution for morbid obesity and develop healthier life, but they differ in terms of effectiveness. When it comes to gastric bypass vs lap band, bypass surgery has more affection for excess body weight loss than the adjustable band.

Studies show that lap-band patients can lose up to 50% of excess weight whereas gastric bypass patients can lose about 60-70% of it. This is due to how your body responds to food intake, digestion, and quality of absorption. 

The reason gastric bypass has more chance of losing weight is that your food intake is slower and your body absorbs fewer minerals fat and calories. So, which one is more suitable for you, gastric bypass or lap band? That depends on your weight and other issues. Effectiveness and weight loss compared between the two are technically similar in terms of the percentage of weight loss.

Let’s assume a person of 40 BMI with 125kg/275 pounds and underwent bariatric surgery, he/she would lose about 60-70% of their weight if they underwent RYGB. That makes approximately 70 to 100 pounds of excess weight lost. However, if they underwent a lap band procedure, they would lose 30-50% of their weight. That makes it approximately 35-65 pounds of excess weight loss.

Comparing the risks and complications

Gastric bypass and gastric lap band have different sets of complications due to their differences in surgical approach. 

Common risks and complications of both procedures:

• Infections
• Vomit & acid reflux

Risks and complications of gastric bypass:

• Blood clots
• Dumping syndrome
• Poor nutrition
• Gallstones
• Hernias

Risks and complications of gastric lap band:

• Slipping & band erosion
• Gastric perforation
• Band obstruction

Every weight surgery has its own risks and complications, some of them can be common among each other but the rate changes. However, technology and modern approaches, techniques, and quality of tools help to have better surgical outcomes. Yet you need to be determined to followthe post-op instructions to go through your recovery in the best way possible. That way you will avoid any potential complication and risk of any negativities.

Recovery time comparison: gastric bypass vs lap band

Generally, any type of bariatric surgery requires a certain amount of time to go back to a normal daily lifestyle. Recovery period of gastric bypass and band surgery includes diet plans, follow-up visits, and more.

This main difference is the hospital stay. Gastric lap band patients generally stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days but in some cases, patients can leave on the same day. Whereas RYGB patients must stay in the hospital for a couple of days, or even a week if necessary.

Diet-wise, both types of surgery patients have similar periods of food stages from full liquid to solid food. In case you undergo lap band surgery, you can consume solid food after less period of time of recovery. However, the variety of diet stages is wider if you undergo RYGB surgery including supplements for a lifetime to maintain balance in vitamins and other essentials.

Regardless of the scale of invasiveness of both surgeries, each one needs to rest without extreme activity for a few weeks. However, if you wish to start working, it depends on your overall health and feeling fully recovered. You should also be monitored for the choice of exercises, you should start slow to avoid any pain or surgical complication.

Comparing their reversibility: convenience and safety

Both gastric bypass and gastric band surgeries are reversible but it is safer and more convenient when it comes to the less invasive surgery which is a lap band. Gastric bypass surgery is reversible in different cases, those cases are considered only if the situation is severe and not fixable with meds or a change of habit or lifestyle.

The most common and acute cases are chronic dumping syndrome, excessive weight loss, and postprandial hypoglycemia aka low blood sugar. However, your doctor would diagnose a reverse surgery if medication and changing lifestyle didn’t work in the first place. The revision surgery holds potential risks as much as the original one. 

The gastric band removal, on the other hand, is basically just removing the placed object around the upper stomach. Reversibility or lap band removal is minimally invasive and it could be due to band erosion and which is possible to happen at about 5%. 

Safety and convenience in these two bariatric surgery procedures, that relies on the experience of your surgeon, and the reasons behind the additional surgery.

Navigating the financial landscape

The cost of lap band vs the cost of gastric bypass varies in different countries. These two types of weight loss surgeries take place in cost depending on the techniques, surgeon experience, facility fees, and region. Here is a table that shows the prices of the surgery:

	Gastric lap band	Gastric bypass
United States	8K-20K $	20K-35K $
Canada	12K-18K $	18K-30K $
UK	6.2K-10 $	11.2K-18.5K $
Mexico	4K-6K $	7K-10K $
Turkey	5K-10K $	7K-15k $

P.S.Keep in mind Mexico and Turkey have package deals that include all fees together, with the surgery fee included.

The cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic gastric banding and bypass for morbid obesity has a big gap due to surgical complexity. You might want to consider an insurance company to help you with the costs and it is possible to cover a fraction of the price. The quality of the insurance plays a role in how much it will cover your bills, also, make sure to read the terms and insurance policy to see if it covers bariatric procedures in general.

References:

Shoar S, Nguyen T, Ona MA, Reddy M, Anand S, Alkuwari MJ, Saber AA. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass reversal: a systematic review. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2016 Aug;12(7):1366-1372. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2016.02.023. Epub 2016 Feb 26. PMID: 27260651.

Nagem RG, Lázaro-da-Silva A, de Oliveira RM, Morato VG. Gallstone-related complications after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a prospective study. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int. 2012 Dec 15;11(6):630-5. doi: 10.1016/s1499-3872(12)60236-7. PMID: 23232635.

Cunneen SA, Phillips E, Fielding G, Banel D, Estok R, Fahrbach K, Sledge I. Studies of Swedish adjustable gastric band and Lap-Band: systematic review and meta-analysis. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2008 Mar-Apr;4(2):174-85. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2007.10.016. Epub 2008 Feb 1. PMID: 18243061.

Ayloo S, Bueno R. Band erosion: laparoscopic removal of lap-band. Surg Endosc. 2009 Mar;23(3):657-8. doi: 10.1007/s00464-008-0194-4. Epub 2008 Dec 5. PMID: 19057961.

Hauk L. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. AORN J. 2018;107(3):P12-P14. doi:10.1002/aorn.12107

Spivak H, Favretti F. Avoiding postoperative complications with the LAP-BAND system. Am J Surg. 2002;184(6B):31S-37S. doi:10.1016/s0002-9610(02)01177-7

Over the years, surgical staplers evolved thanks to scientific and technological progress. These products now give surgeons options for different kinds of features of suturing tissues in a linear, circular, curved, or radial way. They are generally used during surgical procedures that must be performed quickly, or in areas of the body that are difficult to stitch. One of the examples is a stapler used for gastric sleeve surgery where it’s used to create a connection of surgical areas. With sleeve gastrectomy operation around 70% of your stomach is stapled off and removed.

What is a Covidien stapler?

Covidien staple Tri-Staple™ Medtronic technology is a specifically designed stapler used for gastric sleeve to work with the natural properties of tissue before, during, and after stapling. As a result of that special design, it has great strength and leak resistance. Reloadable gastric sleeve staplers consist of three rows of varied-height staples. It usually takes six firings of the stapling device to complete a gastric sleeve, three rows of titanium staples on each side, so you get around 600 of those tiny staples during your sleeve gastrectomy procedure.

Why does stapler material matter?

Medtronic’s Covidien high-performance staplers are produced from medical-grade titanium which makes them safe to use. According to the International Titanium Association, it’s the best surgical staple material known since it doesn’t rust. What’s more, there is no allergic reaction to titanium, which is also less likely to cause inflammation or infection. Keep in mind though that all surgical staples contain some small percentage of nickel, so you should let your doctor know if you have an allergy to this material. Titanium is the first choice when it comes to internal surgeries because of its strength, lightness, and flexibility. 

What would happen if the material of the staplers is not good enough?

First, the surgical stapler material’s poor quality could cause some complications such as leaking and bleeding from the staple lines. Products made from materials different than titanium may also cause allergies. Surgical staples might be more problematic when it comes to embedment in the body. Overall, all this can lead to a slower post-op healing process of the tissues.

Surgical staples can also be made from nickel, chromium, plastic, or iron. However, until now none of the other staple materials has come even close to being as reliable as titanium. You should be cautious because some clinics may use made-in-China or other questionable sources of surgical staples of many different gastric sleeve stapler brands. It happens due to their attractive prices and can put your health, and even life, at high risk. That’s why it’s so important to choose the best quality gastric sleeve surgical staplers.

Why are Covidien staplers the best?

Medtronic’s Covidien stapler used for gastric sleeve provides the most developed technology, which allows these surgical staplers to stay forever in your body. They successfully hold the tissue in place, side by side. There is no risk of leakage or bleeding whatsoever. Covidien leaves behind nice clean edges that are aligned and secure. Titanium as a material is the only 100% biocompatible material, so there isn’t a risk of an allergic reaction. It’s also a nonmagnetic premium metal, so there is no problem with getting an MRI.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Covidien staplers?

The brand is the best available on the market, providing safe surgery and minimal risk thanks to:

• The highest material quality
• The best type of design features and modeling
• Tri-staple technology that prevents bleeding and leaking after the surgery
• The special system that allows surgeons to perform the procedure more steadily and smoothly
• The special design that provides a better hemostatic and air-tightness effect
• The design that makes it possible to enter tissue smoothly, which reduces damage
• The novel switch design that allows the convenient replacement of the components

A disadvantage of Covidien staplers is their price material. Keep in mind though that in this case the best quality always comes with a higher cost.

Are they FDA-approved?

Yes, they are. Endo GIA™ Reinforced Reload with Tri-Staple™ technology integrates tissue reinforcement capability with a surgical stapling device. Keep in mind that a malfunction of these surgical products is a very rare situation in metabolic surgery. Covidien / Medtronic as a major brand in this field transitioned to powered staplers, which guarantee excellent safety.

The list of certificates Covidien staplers have

Covidien staplers received certificates of quality that are recognized all over the world:

CE marking: Conformity with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards.

ISO Certificate: ISO 9001:2015: The certification covers medical equipment solutions, including procurement, installation, testing, maintenance, and our customized multi-brand hospital materials management service.

FDA approved: The United States Food and Drug Administration, is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring safety, efficacy, and security.

FSC label: The world’s most trusted mark for sustainable forestry.

GPC certification: Global Product Certification is a globalized certification body through international cooperation such as management systems, product certification, and applied testing.

References:

Chekan E, Whelan RL. Surgical stapling device-tissue interactions: what surgeons need to know to improve patient outcomes. Med Devices (Auckl). 2014 Sep 12;7:305-18. doi: 10.2147/MDER.S67338. PMID: 25246812; PMCID: PMC4168870.

Clapp B, Schrodt A, Ahmad M, Wicker E, Sharma N, Vivar A, Davis B. Stapler Malfunctions in Bariatric Surgery: An Analysis of the MAUDE Database. JSLS. 2022 Jan-Mar;26(1):e2021.00074. doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2021.00074. PMID: 35281706; PMCID: PMC8896815.

For health or religious reasons, bariatric patients might ask for a vegetarian diet for gastric bypass and sleeve or you might want to change your lifestyle and become a vegetarian after your bariatric surgery. A vegetarian diet plan after bypass or sleeve is possible. However, one should know anything and everything about their daily nutrient intake.

For those who are considering a plant based diet after gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, it is important to understand the different types of vegetarian diets. You should also know their benefits and drawbacks, as well as ways to ensure adequate nutrition and prevent deficiencies.

By the end of this article, you will know about the six types of vegetarian diets, learn what to include and exclude, and find ways to manage any nutritional deficiencies and minimize discomfort from gas. Additionally, you will learn about the pros and cons of a plant-based diet after bariatric surgery, and how to balance your portion size to ensure proper nutrition and avoid any drawbacks and risks.

6 types of plant-based diet

There are 6 subtypes of the vegetarian diet. These types are veganism, ovo–vegetarianism, lacto–vegetarianism, lacto–ovo–vegetarianism, pescetarianism, and flexitarianism. Each diet has its own restrictions, except for flexitarianism.

Veganism: Strictest form of vegetarian diet. Vegans restrict themselves from all animal products and by-products. They meet their protein needs with vegetables, legumes, tofu, and other foods that are rich in protein.

Ovo–vegetarianism: The restrictions are super close to veganism. Except, ovo-vegetarians do eat eggs and only eggs as animal products.

Lacto–vegetarianism: Lacto-vegetarians consume only dairy as animal products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. Other than that, their diet again consists of the restrictions of veganism.

Lacto–ovo–vegetarianism: Combination of lacto- and ovo-vegetarianism. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians include dairy and eggs in their diet.

Pescetarianism: Pescetarians eat only fish as animal products. However, many pescetarians pick and mix things. Some pescetarians also eat dairy, therefore are called lacto-pescetarians. Some include eggs, being called ovo-pescetarians. And some include both dairy and eggs in their diet. And they are called lacto-ovo-pescetarians.

Flexitarianism: Flexitarians rather avoid animal products as much as possible than restrict themselves from them. They occasionally consume animal products, especially minimally processed animal products. They also limit their sugar intake by all means.

You can cooperate with your dietitian to prepare a well-thought vegetarian diet for gastric bypass and sleeve. This way you can get all the necessary nutrients while following a specific diet without facing nutrient deficiencies.

What to eat and avoid in a vegetarian diet

Since a vegetarian diet mostly restricts animal product intake and indirectly prohibits the consumption of very rich protein sources like lean meats. That is why vegetarians should take close care of their protein intake.

What to eat	What to avoid
Non-starchy, fiber-rich vegetables, and fruitsImitation meat, soy ground beef, vegan meatballs, etc.Protein-rich legumesTofu, tempeh, seitan etc.Whole wheat breadSugar-free vanillaFalafel	High-sodium imitation meatStrachy and high GI fruits and veggiesBreaded falafelSweetened plant-based milkWhite rice, pasta, white bread, etc.Refined sugarFried foodsProcessed food and snacks

You should absolutely avoid increasing carbs and fats in an attempt to compensate for lean meats. For instance, potatoes, carrots, and sweetcorns have a high glycemic index. Consuming these often and too much in one sitting can affect your blood sugar and cause weight gain.

You should opt for non-starchy vegetables and fruits that also have a low glycemic index. For example, you can have eggplant, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, chickpeas, etc. Also, there are vegan substitutes like soy ground beef, tofu, imitation meat, vegan meatballs, etc. that you can have to compensate for protein, provided they are low in sodium.

Pros and cons of a plant-based diet after surgery

You may find yourself wishing “I want a plant-based diet but I’ve had gastric bypass”. Well yes, a vegetarian diet for gastric bypass and sleeve is possible. But it does come with its own pros and cons according to various studies. Let’s review.

Pros are:

• Reduces food cravings
• Packed with healthy foods
• Reduces chemical intake
• Reduces the risk of heart attack, cancer, etc.

Generally, weight loss surgery diets will disclude processed food. With a vegetarian diet, it will be reduced even more. This will indirectly cause the risk of heart attack and cancer to be decreased.

Cons are:

• Risk of nutrition deficiency
• Possibility of weight gain
• Less convenient
• Not getting enough protein

To get enough protein, you may need to eat more substitutes, like chickpeas, than lean meats. And that can cause either nutritional deficiencies or it can cause the stomach to enlarge. And that can mean you may feel full later than anticipated. To avoid that, you should opt for richer protein sources such as tofu, lentils, quinoa, etc.

A vegetarian diet can be more challenging as it takes extra planning and extra tracking of your nutrient intake. However, it is all part of the journey. With the help of your healthcare provider, you can come up with a diet plan for you.

A study shows that omnivores and vegetarians can get a sufficient amount of nutrients in their diets if followed properly. Meaning a vegetarian diet can be as nutrient-dense as an omnivore diet and you can follow it without worry.

To benefit from the pros and avoid the cons, you should make early preparations for your diet. You can examine an exemplary shopping list below.

How to cope with nutritional deficiencies

If not tracked properly, it is easy to lack lots of healthy nutrients with vegetarian diets. To prevent that, one should be well-educated about the subject. The best way to avoid nutritional deficiencies is to contact your dietitian and prepare a well-thought-out vegetarian diet plan. This way, you will have a better understanding of what to eat and what to avoid along with how much of which protein sources you should take.

In a vegetarian diet, most protein comes from carbs and they can cause gas buildup. This can bring discomfort in your stomach and affect your eating. That is why planning a vegetarian diet plan thoroughly with your healthcare provider is essential before going through with the surgery. It is also hard to balance protein and carb intake appropriately while consuming carbs for protein, as too many carbs can affect glucose levels and hence the weight loss process negatively.

How to reduce gas pain

You should be really careful about what you eat. For instance, chickpeas are a great source of protein. However, they are known to cause gas buildup in the stomach and the intestines. This will indirectly cause gas pain as sometimes you might find it hard to release the gas. That is why you should avoid legumes and vegetables that can cause gas buildup during the first few months.

During your recovery, you will be recommended to walk and exercise regularly. This will also help with the gas pain by promoting bowel movements and proper circulation, so it helps release the built-up gas.

How to balance your plate

As a golden rule for diet after bariatric surgery, your diet should look like this: high in protein, low in fat, and moderate in carbs. To elaborate, your daily intake should consist of approximately 60-100 grams of protein, 26-42 grams of fat, and 50-100 grams of carbohydrates.

Sometimes, it is hard to determine how much food you should put on your plate. There are bariatric plates available you can find that show you how much of what to put on it. But for reference, your plate should look like this: 50% protein, 30% fruits and vegetables, and 20% carbs.

Protein intake is important

Protein intake is crucial after weight loss surgery. If you wish to follow a vegetarian diet, you should take extra care of your protein intake. A lot of rich-protein vegan foods are not recommended early on after the surgeries. So, you will need to find other sources, such as protein water and protein shakes.

During the first 10 days, you shouldn’t be consuming dairy products or plant-based beverages as they are not considered clear liquids. Instead, you can opt for protein waters. After you can consume dairy or plant milk, you can have a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass vegan protein shakes provided you prepare them with unsweetened non-dairy milk or vegetable broth.

As you move on to solid food, you will have more variety of options to get your protein from, such as legumes, tofu, chia seeds, falafel (not fried or breaded), imitation meats, etc. However, make sure the imitation meats you get are not high in sodium. Consult your healthcare provider before getting any imitation meats.

Reduce carb intake

During digestion, carbs turn into glucose in the body. This indirectly affects blood sugar. Most overweight/obese patients face insulin resistance problems. While insulin resistance is present in the body, it gets hard to lose weight because the body stores the excess sugar as fat. And if you already have type-2 diabetes, you should take close care of your carb intake.

Of course, your diet will be prepared specially for you minding your existing conditions. However, it is up to you to stand by them. If you do not reduce your carb intake, you may see a pause in your weight loss, or even experience weight gain.

A vegetarian diet plan for you

So, what can your vegetarian diet for gastric bypass and sleeve look like? You can find an exemplary daily meal plan below. This diet plan can be reshaped based on the type of your plant-based diet and your desires. You can also find lots of gastric sleeve and gastric bypass vegan recipes online.

P.S. This sample diet plan is for after 3 months post-op.

Breakfast	3tbsp of oats, 250ml soy milk, half a banana, and kiwi
Snack (optional)	Protein shake made with vegan protein powder and unsweetened almond milk
Lunch	Pureed lentil soup made with vegetable broth and coconut cream
Snack	Hummus made with white beans and olive oil served with raw veggies like carrot sticks, cucumber, and bell pepper strips
Dinner	Spinach and zucchini soup with tofu or tempeh
Snack	1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk

References:

Esquivel MK. Nutrition Benefits and Considerations for Whole Foods Plant-Based Eating Patterns. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Published online April 22, 2022:155982762210759.

Phan A, Hage M, Zaharia R, et al. Nutritional Status of Vegetarian Patients Before and After Bariatric Surgery: a Monocentric Retrospective Observational Case-Control Study. Obesity Surgery. 2023;33(5):1356-1365.

Giusti V, Theytaz F, Di Vetta V, Clarisse M, Suter M, Tappy L. Energy and macronutrient intake after gastric bypass for morbid obesity: a 3-y observational study focused on protein consumption. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2015;103(1):18-24.

Your journey to weight loss bariatric surgery is not just to reach your goal weight but in fact, increasing your quality of life. The reasons for gastric bypass are plenty and this article will be discussing why you should consider it. Gastric bypass is a life-changing experience that can cure overweight-related diseases. There are plenty of benefits that RYGB holds, it is a key to boost your overall well-being. This article will cover the most important factors that help both men and women.

Why should you consider gastric bypass surgery?

There are plenty of health benefits that come along with this type of bariatric surgery and it’s mainly to become in a better shape both physically and mentally. So, why should you consider gastric bypass roux-en-y surgery after all? Here are the best reasons for gastric bypass:

• Significant and long-term weight loss
• Cure for type 2 diabetes
• Improves heart and overall health
• Reduces joint pain
• No more sleep apnea problems
• Improves fertility

Gastric bypass risks will reduce and will keep reducing to a minimum as intended. However, to achieve higher health status you will need to follow post-op daily instructions, and periodically it will pay off with great results.

Keep in mind that the healing process is gradual, and the more you stick to the plan given for post-op, the sooner you see results. Usually, the peak of the affectations and remissions for that disease or disorder is after a year of surgery.

Significant and long-term weight loss

Bypass is a great solution for weight loss. The process takes at least a year. You will lose 25-35% of your weight in the first 6 months and the weight loss will continue. During this process, you will make many changes in your lifestyle. These will not only help you lose weight but also will help you if you have a health condition. Here are the changes you make and how they affect you:

During your recovery after bypass surgery, your lifestyle changes 180 degrees automatically in terms of diet, physical activity, and rest. Your dietitian gives you a plan for a lifetime to follow, it includes quality and quantity of food. It is highly advised to have regular exercises and follow a schedule, it will help you burn fat, and build muscle tissue. Finally, you need proper rest to organize your energy cycle and have better nights of sleep at night without any struggles. Accordingly, you are expected to have a significant and long-term weight loss, it is possible to lose up to 70% of your weight in 12 months. During that period you will restore your health.

Cure for Type 2 diabetes

Gastric bypass is a metabolic treatment that cures type 2 diabetes and this is one of the major reasons for gastric bypass. But how does that work? Roux-en-y gastric bypass benefits from balancing the glucose levels in the bloodstream, as well as insulin levels in the body. The affectation is due to the new environment in the gut microbiome, that change is also the reason for you to eat differently, as in portion, as well as your appetite.

In addition, you will need to follow the diet program to not just help with abdominal recovery but also to make the beneficial bacteria grow. Therefore your diet must include fiber and a small portion of healthy fats.

This also reduces inflammation which affects insulin sensitivity and gut hormones. Note that you also need consistency in your diet and exercise routine for long-term remission of diabetes.

Improves heart and overall health

Gastric bypass surgery benefits the heart by having a higher quality of blood being beaten through the valves. The issue with heart disease is plaque built in the heart arteries due to excess body weight. Your heart breaths healthier with better blood flow after losing excess weight. Here are the main benefits for your heart after the surgery:

• Development of blood clots
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Cholesterol levels

Losing weight will prevent heart problems, lower the chances of cancer, heart inflammation, and better overall health status. This is prevention for what is called coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is caused due to unhealthy food intake, medical history, or genetics. Gastric bypass may not be the cure for this issue but a major motive is to lower the chances of that heart problems drastically. 

Reduces joint pain

One of the many reasons for gastric bypass is a joint pain reliever. Severe obesity and constant pressure on most used joints such as knees and hips will reduce flexibility and health. Weight loss surgery generally reduces joint pain and the results appear after weight loss and you will sense doing physical activities easier than usual.

Within a year post-op, you eventually lose more than 50% of the excess weight, that way your joints benefit from many things such as:

• High range of physical activity: You can walk for longer distances, working out becomes easier, and the quality of mobility and flexibility increases.
• Reduce the possibility of joint disease: With significant weight loss, you will prevent infections, such as arthropathies that weaken bones, and pain in most common areas including knees, lower back, and hips.
• Reduces the risk of joint inflammation: Constant pressure on the joints could cause inflammation which causes chronic pain. Cartilage could be damaged and constant pressure on the joints may lead to a limp and stiffness.

After all, this surgical treatment will prevent you from a potential risk of joint replacement surgeries and increase your mobility. 

No more sleep apnea problems

Do you feel like you lack energy in the morning and feel sleepy even after waking up? Gastric bypass for sleep apnea is the ultimate solution. Studies show that patients who undergo RYGB or sleeve surgery reduce the difficulties in breathing cycles during sleep. Results may not show right after the surgery, but you will notice having higher quality sleep at night whilst losing significant weight.

The cause of shortness of breath while sleeping is the fat located around the neck. After losing weight, you will enjoy better nights of sleep without any breathing problems.

Improves fertility

Bariatric surgery absolutely improves fertility, and losing weight will balance many hormone levels which helps to be able to deliver a baby in the future. Estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and insulin are all hormones that work to support the chance of being fertile. However, balancing hormones take time, therefore if you have, it’s best to postpone your pregnancy plans until one year from the surgery.

As a woman, losing a significant amount of weight will help with decreasing the excess levels of estrogen. Accordingly, the balanced estrogen hormone improves menstrual cycles and fertility. If you have unusually high levels of testosterone, it will interfere with ovulation. Weight loss also leads to lower testosterone hormones in women’s bodies. 

Progesterone is a hormone responsible for preparing a healthy environment for the uterus after ovulation. Obesity lowers the levels of progesterone hormone and causes difficulties in becoming pregnant. While losing weight, your body will balance this hormone by increasing its level.

Finally, Insulin levels must be balanced in the blood and that is most likely to happen post-op in the long term gradually. Losing weight definitely helps with being more sensitive to insulin and increases menstrual cycles.

The balanced hormones will help you have a regular menstrual cycle and will make it easier to get pregnant. Also, consequently will lead to a healthier pregnancy.

References:

Cummings DE, Rubino F. Metabolic surgery for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in obese individuals. Diabetologia. 2018 Feb;61(2):257-264. doi: 10.1007/s00125-017-4513-y. Epub 2017 Dec 9. PMID: 29224190; PMCID: PMC6448954.

Rariy CM, Rometo D, Korytkowski M. Post-Gastric Bypass Hypoglycemia. Curr Diab Rep. 2016 Feb;16(2):19. doi: 10.1007/s11892-015-0711-5. PMID: 26868861.

Kuno T, Tanimoto E, Morita S, Shimada YJ. Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Disease: A Concise Update of Recent Advances. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2019 Jul 10;6:94. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2019.00094. PMID: 31355210; PMCID: PMC6635807.

Arterburn DE, Telem DA, Kushner RF, Courcoulas AP. Benefits and Risks of Bariatric Surgery in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 2020;324(9):879-887. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.12567

Do you ever wonder how to get a gastric bypass without surgery? Around a decade ago, a phenomenon called “gastric bypass hypnosis” was introduced to the world. It was supposed to show the gastric bypass effect without surgery. But how reliable is it?

Hypnosis is not a magic trick to make you do things against your will. For hypnosis to work, you need to allow yourself to be hypnotized. In other words, you need to trick your own mind into believing that you went through the actual surgery. Meaning you will always be in control.

Hypnosis for weight loss takes convincing yourself regularly that the thing you are hypnotized for is real. For instance, if you do not believe in hypnosis, to begin with, it will never work. And if it does, it is just one glimpse of truth away from being broken.

What is gastric bypass hypnosis?

The technique of gastric bypass hypnosis involves the use of guided hypnosis to mimic the effects of gastric bypass surgery, with the goal of weight loss for obese people. In a gastric bypass hypnosis session, a hypnotherapist induces a deep state of relaxation in the patient and employs visualization techniques to encourage them to imagine their stomach is significantly smaller than its actual size. This method is used to create a sense of fullness with smaller amounts of food, leading to a decrease in calorie intake and rapid weight loss.

During weight loss hypnotherapy, you will be suggested a more physically active, healthy lifestyle and portion control. Along with that, you will be suggested to avoid food temptations, opt for healthy foods, and mend your relationship with food. Because mostly, excessive eating is a product of emotional eating. 

Currently, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of gastric bypass hypnosis as a weight loss method, despite the claims made by some people who have undergone gastric bypass hypnosis.

How is the hypnosis performed?

Gastric bypass hypnosis is performed by a trained hypnotherapist who helps an individual achieve a deep state of relaxation and heightened suggestibility. Of course, before beginning the process, a consultation takes place. During this consultation, the patient’s weight loss goals, medical history, and concerns about hypnosis are discussed. Then, the hypnotherapist guides the patient into a state of deep relaxation using techniques such as visualization and guided imagery.

The hypnotherapist suggests that the patient has had gastric bypass surgery, making them go through the procedure via visualization with a description of the surgery in this state of the subconscious mind. As a result, the patients believe they have gone through the surgery, their stomach is reduced in size, and their small intestine is rerouted. 

In order to keep the hypnosis up and running, the patients may need to have more sessions of weight loss hypnotherapy. This may be also because of the patient’s progress. To keep believing in such hypnosis, one needs to have a very creative mind. After all, this phenomenon works as long as you believe in it and you can trick your mind into thinking it is real.

Does it really help with weight loss at all?

In the long-term, no. It does not help to benefit from the effects of a gastric bypass without surgery. There aren’t enough scientific data to support its effectiveness compared to gastric bypass. However, in some studies, some people indeed lost weight. But since it was not clinically significant, it was discontinued. Because the hypnosis treatment only worked for a while and required more sessions to make it last.

Some people who have undergone gastric bypass hypnosis claim that they have successfully lost weight. When you break it down, it is just pure determination and loyalty to a new lifestyle. Once you stop reminding yourself you have undergone gastric bypass without actually undergoing the surgical procedure, it is highly likely you will spiral back to old habits and portions.

Does it mean diet could work without surgery?

A gastric bypass diet without surgery may work, yes. But it should be tailored to your needs and health status. The portions and calorie intake are very low for this diet. And if not monitored properly, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.

All stages of this post-op diet should be followed accordingly if you wish to make it work, even without having the surgery. Whatever you may choose to go with, you should consult a certified dietitian before going through anything. This way your unique diet plan can be prepared accordingly with your needs.

Nevertheless, the diet without the surgery may not have as dramatic results. And it may not even make you stop right after you start feeling full. In some cases, people have even undergone aversion therapies to make themselves stop eating junk food or stop eating after starting to feel full. Which is a whole other story.

Are hypnosis and aversion therapy the same thing?

No, hypnosis and aversion therapy are not the same thing. They both are about reshaping the mind to get rid of unwanted behavior. But their methods are not even close to each other.

Hypnosis is a state of heightened focus and suggestibility. During hypnosis, the patient may be more open to suggestions and can experience changes in perception and indirectly in thought and behavior. Losing weight, for instance.

Aversion therapy is a type of behavior therapy. It aims to eliminate unwanted behavior or bad habits by associating them with literal traumas. For instance, a song that you absolutely despise may be played during an activity that you are trying to get rid of. Or in extreme cases, they might give you Ipecac (a medicine that makes people vomit) while making you eat junk food. So, aversion therapies are not so popular, as they are occasionally used for unethical purposes and can develop or increase anxiety in the patient.

Is it as effective as a gastric bypass?

No, gastric bypass hypnosis is not as effective as the actual weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass procedure alters the metabolism and certain hormone productions, like the hunger hormone ghrelin. Hypnosis can in no way affect the production of hormones and boost metabolism. In short, gastric bypass hypnosis is not a reliable method to reach your goal weight.

Also, gastric bypass can help with diseases associated with being overweight, such as sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, heart problems, etc. While hypnosis may help you eat less, its effects will never be as effective as gastric bypass, meaning its effects on health issues related to being overweight may not get better, or will not be resolved as quickly. If the issue at hand requires immediate action, hypnosis comes nowhere near the gastric bypass.

Why do people choose this option?

People choose this option mostly because they have been misinformed. Other than that, other factors such as the cost of the surgery, and the unrealistic fear of the surgery and recovery process inserted into them. Those are totally understandable. And that is why everyone should know the truth behind all of these treatments.

Gastric bypass is a safe surgery. It has very low complication risks. And if the price is the issue, consorting health tourism can be recommended. For instance, having a gastric bypass in health tourism landmark Turkey can be budget-friendly, even more than gastric bypass hypnosis.

Recovery from this procedure is also nothing to be scared of. Every part of it, from diet to exercise, is tailored specially for patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery and is observed by a professional team of doctors and dietitians, unlike hypnosis. So, while you may experience a bit of discomfort in the early stages, you will have a smooth ride along your weight loss journey.

References:

Stradling J, Roberts D, Wilson A, Lovelock F. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy for weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. 1998;22(3):278-281.

Greetham S, Goodwin S, Wells L, et al. Pilot Investigation of a Virtual Gastric Band Hypnotherapy Intervention. The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 2016;64(4):419-433.